Gurbati is accused of ties to PIVT

The authorities of Tajikistan have accused detained journalist Abdullo Gurbati of collaborating with the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan.

Photo: Internet

However, a representative of the IRPT stated that Abdullo Gurbati has never been a member of the IRPT and was not even a supporter of the party.

According to Radio Ozodi, the head of the organized crime department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan, Shodi Khafizoda, stated at a press conference in Dushanbe on July 19 that Abdullo Gurbati is suspected of collaborating with the IRPT.

However, the press secretary of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, Bobodjon Kayumov, categorically denied reports of Abdullo Gurbati’s collaboration with the IRPT in a conversation with Azda TV. He believes that even those who accused the journalists of collaboration know that they have no connection to the IRPT. According to him, recently the authorities have been detaining civil activists, and if they cannot bring any charges against them, they “accuse them of ties to the IRPT.”

“Neither Zavkibek Saidamini, nor Abdusat tor Pirmukhammadzoda, nor Abdullo Gurbati, nor Daleri Emomali have the slightest connection to the IRPT. They have never been members of the IRPT or supporters of this party. They were merely dissenting individuals who carried out their activities for the rights of citizens, for providing accurate and free information,” said the press secretary of the IRPT.

According to Bobodjon Kayumov, the only thing that unites these journalists accused of “collaborating with the IRPT” is their dissent.

“If you look closely, the authorities of Tajikistan today act in such a way that everyone who fights for freedom is considered a member of the IRPT. That is, being a member of the IRPT today is the same as being a freedom fighter. Also, being an opponent of the government’s repressive policies is considered collaboration with the IRPT. Otherwise, it is well known that those accused of ties to the IRPT have no connection to this party,” said the press secretary of the IRPT in a conversation with Azda TV.

After Abdullo Gurbati was detained, the authorities accused him of allegedly “beating” a police officer in the building of the Department of Internal Affairs “Shokhmansur-1.” His lawyer Abdurakhmon Sharipov stated that Gurbati denied the accusations both on the day of his detention and in court.

In recent months, 7 journalists, bloggers, and civil activists have been detained in the country. The authorities accused them of collaborating with banned parties and movements.

After the detention of journalists and bloggers, organizations for the protection of journalists and human rights organizations appealed to the government of Tajikistan, calling for the immediate release of Daleri Emomali, Abdullo Gurbati, Zavkibek Saidamini, Abdusat tor Pirmukhammadzoda, and others. However, the authorities, contrary to the demands of human rights organizations, brought new charges against them.