Criminal case initiated against journalist Anora Sarkorova

The law enforcement agencies of Tajikistan have initiated a criminal case against the well-known journalist Anora Sarkorova under Article 307 (extremism). Sarkorova reported this on her Facebook page.

Anora Sarkorova stated that on February 1, 2024, her mother was once again summoned to the central office of the Anti-Organized Crime Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan.

“The investigator of the Anti-Organized Crime Department, Dilovar Mamadlatif, informed me about the initiation of a criminal case against me under Article 307(1) ‘Public calls for extremist activities,’” Sarkorova writes.

Investigator Dilovar Mamadlatif strongly recommended that the journalist’s mother persuade her and her husband to return to Tajikistan, voluntarily surrender to the authorities, and repent for the “committed offenses,” otherwise they would be declared wanted through Interpol.

After that, the investigator photographed her mother and interrogated her about the personal details of Anora Sarkorova’s children.

“I have repeatedly addressed the authorities, stating that I have long reached adulthood and am solely responsible for my actions, not my mother and children,” the journalist declared.

The journalist also noted that the Criminal Code of Tajikistan does not stipulate collective responsibility as a form of punishment, but the current Tajik authorities have never adhered to legal norms; blackmailing with the lives of loved ones is a favored method of the regime.

Anora Sarkorova emphasized that she has not committed any illegal actions for which to repent and ask for forgiveness.

“I have honestly fulfilled and will continue to fulfill my professional duty,” she stated.

A criminal case has also been initiated against the well-known journalist Rustam Dzhoni, Anora Sarkorova’s husband, under two articles – Article 307 (extremism) and Article 401 (mercenarism).