DUSHANBE (Avesta news agency) — A batch of counterfeit banknotes worth 100 somoni was seized on the eve of by Tajik police officers in the city of Dushanbe.

According to the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan, two residents of the capital aged 21 were detained on suspicion of counterfeit money.

The suspect was detained by members of the Tajik police at the time when they wanted to put into circulation 24 counterfeit banknotes with a nominal value of 100 somoni. The examination showed that the counterfeit bills were printed on the printer. Three printers and 170 meters of special paper were seized.

A criminal case has been initiated against detainees under Article 281 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan, an investigation is being conducted, the law enforcement agency said.

The somoni was introduced on 30 October 2000; it replaced the Tajikistani ruble, at the rate of 1 somoni = 1000 rubles. The currency is divided into 100 diram for one somoni. Diram banknotes were first introduced on 30 October 2000 to start the currency off and coins were introduced later in 2001 with the intention of creating a more efficient monetary system and gradually replacing the diram notes. This was also the first time circulating coins were introduced in Tajikistan.