Under the amnesty law

Tajikistan’s National Bank reported on June 18 that it legalized $187 million worth of unofficial currency, along with over one million rubles and 61,000 euros, during an amnesty between April 1 and June 10. Most money came during what was scheduled as the amnesty’s last few days, according to bank spokesperson Rahmatsho Dodkhudoyev. According to him, the treasury collected $40 million and 20 million Tajik somoni, equivalent to about $6.5 million, in this window. Bankers asked the government to extend the amnesty period after this influx. In late May, Rahmonov extended the term until June 10. Zafar Saidov, the president’s press secretary, says this move aimed to open the process to "many citizens and entrepreneurs who by some reason decided to legalize their ‘shadow’ financial means literally on the eve of the deadline." Under the amnesty law, any Tajikistani citizen could freely enter funds into accounts at one of eight major commercial banks without paying fines or taxes. National Bank officials assured that those charged with capital-related crimes would get a clean slate and that all participants would get their (now legal) money back as soon as officials processed the results.