Tajikhistan - Authorities Suspend Demolition Of Country's Only Synagogue

Tajikhistan - Authorities have agreed to suspend the demolition of the ex-Soviet republic's only synagogue to clarify disputed issues.

They have postponed a final decision on the synagogue's fate until the second half of the year to allow more time to clarify ownership rights over the building. Officials in Tajikhistan confirmed the suspension but refused to provide more details.

In February, the authorities began demolishing the synagogue. The century-old synagogue on government land in the ex-Soviet republic's capital Dushanbe was to be razed off to clear a place for the construction of a new presidential palace.

Parts of the synagogue's terrace and an adjacent house have been torn down.