Saidkomil Qurbonov, the defense lawyer for former Tajik Interior Minister Yaqub Salimov told on 29 September that his client considers himself innocent of the charges he faces. Salimov faces up to 15 years\' imprisonment on treason and corruption charges. Qurbonov said, \"We, the defense, feel that the accusations are unfounded and unproven.\" Qurbonov added that the state does not have eyewitnesses to support its allegations. He concluded, \"Investigators were unable to produce either direct eyewitnesses or evidence to support my client\'s guilt on any of the charges. We are hoping for an acquittal, since I am completely confident that Salimov is innocent of all the charges he faces.\" (Asia Plus-Blitz)