How the public reacted to the case of Shokhida Mahmadjonova

The National Alliance of Tajikistan and the political movement “Group 24” condemned the detention of Shokhida Mahmadjonova and called on the authorities of Tajikistan, particularly the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to release her.

Photo: Internet

The National Alliance of Tajikistan has not yet officially commented on this case; however, on February 7, several members of this opposition coalition condemned the detention of Shokhida Mahmadjonova at the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Vahdat on social media and demanded that the authorities immediately release her.

On February 8, the political movement “Group 24” issued an official statement condemning the disappearance of Shokhida Mahmadjonova at the Department of Internal Affairs in Vahdat and demanded her release.

“Group 24″ calls on the people, media, and civil society of the country not to remain indifferent to the case of Shokhida Mahmadjonova’s disappearance and to express their protest to the authorities and the international community. Indifference and silence will allow the authoritarian regime of Rahmon to continue using such illegitimate, inhumane, and dirty methods to suppress dissenters and critics,” the statement noted.

The Deputy Chairwoman of the Civil Committee for the Protection of Political Hostages and Prisoners in Tajikistan, Mavjuda Sokhibnazarova, emphasized that if her relatives contact them, the committee’s leadership is ready to consider the case of her detention and disappearance and take necessary measures in a timely manner.

A detailed report by Asia-Plus states that the Coalition of Civil Society Against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan, based on a statement from Shokhida Mahmadjonova’s husband, who reportedly went missing several days ago, has assigned a lawyer to ascertain her whereabouts.

Idimokh Mahmadjonova, the mother of Shokhida Mahmadjonova, informed the media that on February 7, she contacted the presidential executive office, the general prosecutor’s office, and the ombudsman of Tajikistan to find her daughter but received no response.

Many political activists and social media users, including journalist and poet Zafari Sufi and journalist Amrullohi Nizom, also condemned the arrest and called on people not to remain indifferent to this case.

On the other hand, a number of supporters of the government of Emomali Rahmon, who become active on social media during critical moments, including the director of the Abulkosim Lohuti Children’s Library Abdukodir Talbakov, posted a large number of insults and slander against the blogger Sherzod Mahmadjonov, known as “Abdurakhmon 09,” the son of Shokhida Mahmadjonova, claiming that her son should return to his homeland and be with his mother during such difficult days.

Claims that “Abdurakhmon 09” should return to his homeland and be with his mother are also a demand from the authorities, who have repeatedly suggested that he return home and be granted amnesty. This time, when his mother is in custody, it is likely that the authorities also want to send her son to prison.

Sherzod Mahmadjonov, a Tajik blogger living in Germany and known by the nickname “Abdurakhmon 09,” previously told Azda TV that on February 2, police officers in Vahdat summoned his mother Shokhida Mahmadjonova to the station to retrieve her mobile phone, which was in the possession of the officers. When his mother arrived at the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ organized crime department in Vahdat on February 3, she was detained. More than 6 days after her detention, the police have not informed her relatives why she was detained and where she is being held.