Zayd Saidov

Zayd Sherovich Saidov (Зайд Шерович Саидов; born 20 March 1958) is a Tajik businessman and politician. Saidov was engaged in business through the 1990s, but in 1999 went into government service, working as Tajikistan's Industry Minister from 2002-2007.

Saidov case

On 6 April 2013 Saidov announced his intention to create a new political party titled 'New Tajikistan'. A campaign of government-backed denigration and threats followed and on 19 May 2013 he was arrested upon returning from Paris. On 25 December 2013 Zayd Saidov was sentenced for a prison term of 26 years for his alleged engagement in financial fraud, polygamy, and sexual relations with a minor.

Little over a year following Saidov's indictment, on 13 January 2015, his defense lawyer Shukhrat Kudratov, who had been outspoken on blatant procedural violations in the Saidov case, was jailed for 9 years for alleged fraud and bribery.