Preliminary investigation completed in the new case of Buzurgmehr Yorov

The fourth criminal case against the convicted Tajik lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov has already been submitted to the court. This was reported by his relatives.

Jamshed Yorov, a lawyer and brother of the convicted lawyer, chairman of the “Buzurgmehr” Foundation based in Poland, told Azda TV that the court hearing is expected to take place in two weeks at the pre-trial detention center in Dushanbe.

Jamshed Yorov emphasized that his brother’s case, like those of all opponents of the Rahmon regime or civil society activists, was fabricated in an atmosphere of lies, secrecy, using pressure and torture against suspects, witnesses, and their relatives.

According to the lawyer, although the preliminary investigation has been completed, Buzurgmehr Yorov’s demands have not been met, and a confrontation with the plaintiffs has not taken place. Additionally, the necessary evidence that he received money has still not been collected.

The chairman of the “Buzurgmehr” Foundation emphasized that the basis for bringing Buzurgmehr Yorov as a defendant is solely the statement of the inmate Hasan Hasanov, written under torture. There are no supporting documents, including receipts or money transfer confirmations.

According to Jamshed Yorov, his brother’s case is ordered and politically motivated, such cases are initiated against individuals who are undesirable to the authorities. “That is why such individuals must disappear by any ‘legal’ means,” our interlocutor stated.

At present, Buzurgmehr Yorov has once again been placed in a punishment cell for 15 days.

Buzurgmehr Yorov’s mother, in her letter to Ozodi Rahmon, Mansurjon Umarov, and the prosecutor overseeing compliance with laws in correctional institutions in Dushanbe and the regions under republican jurisdiction, called for her son to be able to defend himself, to exercise his constitutional rights, so that the investigation takes into account the facts and arguments of the accused.

Well-known Tajik human rights defender and political prisoner Buzurgmehr Yorov was arrested on September 28, 2015, when he took on the defense of members of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan in court. He was charged with various offenses, including fraud, forgery of documents, and insulting the president. The court sentenced him to 28 years in prison. The human rights defender and his supporters rejected the charges and called the court ruling politically motivated.

Western countries and several international organizations have repeatedly called on the authorities of Tajikistan to release Buzurgmehr Yorov from prison. However, the country’s authorities have never taken into account the demands of international organizations.