Relatives of journalists are denied visits

Relatives of bloggers Daleri Imomali and Abdullo Gurbati are unable to meet with them. Authorities are not commenting on the situation.

Photo: Internet

As reported by Radio Ozodi, more than a week has passed since the detention of bloggers Daleri Imomali and Abdullo Gurbati, yet the authorities of Tajikistan have still not allowed their relatives to meet with them.

According to a source, the relatives of Daleri Imomali and Abdullo Gurbati come to the detention center every day hoping to see them. The authorities are not commenting on the situation regarding the detained bloggers.

Well-known lawyer Shukhrat Kudratov states that detainees in the detention center have the right to short meetings with close relatives. Permissions are issued by investigative bodies or the investigator. According to him, permission for a meeting is granted by the investigator no more than twice a month, with the duration of the meeting being at least three hours.

“However, in Tajikistan, many investigators abuse their rights and deny detainees meetings with their relatives. Sometimes they do not even allow a meeting with the detainee for their lawyer. This mainly occurs during the investigation of high-profile criminal cases,” the lawyer reported.

On the morning of June 15, Tajik journalist and blogger Daleri Imomali was detained in the Ayni district while heading to the Kanibadam district of the Sughd region for filming a movie.

On his Facebook page, he left a brief message: “If something happens to me, I am at the Ayni police station. I was heading to Kanibadam for filming a movie.”

It was previously reported that Tajik journalist and blogger Daleri Imomali was beaten at the prosecutor’s office in the Shohmansur district. The prosecutor who beat the blogger is the son of Justice Minister Muzaffar Ashuriyon and the son-in-law of the Chairman of the Supreme Court Shermukhammad Shohiyon. The report of the blogger’s beating has resonated in society.

Journalist and blogger Daleri Imomali is suspected of illegal entrepreneurship, providing knowingly false information about a crime, and supporting organizations banned in Tajikistan, while Abdullo Gurbati is accused of using violence against a police officer.

On June 22, the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch published a statement saying: “Criticism of government institutions is not a crime; bloggers should be immediately released and all charges against them dropped.”

“The authorities of Tajikistan must respect freedom of speech and stop obstructing journalists in carrying out their professional activities. Regional and international partner countries should also demand that Tajikistan fulfill its human rights obligations,” the statement notes.

Relatives of the journalists are concerned about their health. “If they are okay, then why are we being denied a meeting?” their relatives question.