Izzat Amon sentenced to 9 years in prison

On October 19, lawyer of Izzat Amon, Saidburkhon Sharipov, informed the media that the court of Dushanbe sentenced the human rights defender to nine years in prison. The verdict was announced at noon on October 19.

Photo: Internet

Sharipov noted that he and his client disagree with the court’s verdict and are appealing to higher authorities.

Prior to the verdict, Tajik human rights defenders believed that Izzat Amon would be released in accordance with the amnesty law.

There were also reports in the media that after the plaintiffs were refunded the entire amount, Izzat Amon would be included in the list of those to be amnestied.

His relatives and friends told the media that they disagree with all the accusations against Izzat Amon, but for the sake of his release, they paid the full amount. Izzat Amon’s debt to the plaintiffs amounted to 1 million 90 thousand Russian rubles and 1000 US dollars.

Earlier, the secretary of the Dushanbe court informed Radio Ozodi that the court hearing in the case of Izzat Amon concluded on September 22 and the case against him was terminated.

The new amnesty law came into effect on September 10 of this year. Article 247 part 4 of the Criminal Code of Tajikistan “Fraud in especially large amounts,” under which a case was initiated against Izzat Amon, is included in the amnesty law.

Izat Amon, head of the Tajik Center in Moscow, disappeared from Russia on March 25, but Tajik authorities later stated that Russia deported the human rights defender. In Tajikistan, a criminal case had previously been initiated against him on charges of fraud, and he was detained immediately after landing at Dushanbe airport.

The detention of Izzat Amon in Tajikistan sparked negative reactions from labor migrants, civil society activists, and social media users, with many calling for his release, but authorities stated that Izzat Amon was detained on charges of fraud based on citizens’ complaints.