Arrests of prominent politicians continue in Tajikistan

The law enforcement agencies of Tajikistan have detained former acting president and ex-head of the Supreme Council of Tajikistan Akbarsho Iskandarov and former foreign minister of the country Hamrokhon Zarifi.

The detention of these former high-ranking officials occurred against the backdrop of the arrest of parliament deputy and leader of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan Saidjafar Usmonzoda, who is accused of attempting a “violent seizure of power” in the country.

Radio Ozodi, citing its sources, reports that until June 16, Hamrokhon Zarifi was held in the pre-trial detention center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Dushanbe. It is unknown whether he is still in custody or has already been released.

According to this information, “the detention and interrogation are related to an economic crime committed during the construction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building while Zarifi was head of this agency.” It is not possible to confirm this information from other sources.

At the same time, the news portal “Bomdod,” citing its sources, reports that Akbarsho Iskandarov was detained along with his former driver, but the driver was released after a few days. It is reported that he has not worked with Iskandarov for about five years.

It is still unknown what Iskandarov is suspected or accused of. It is also unclear where he is located.

According to “Bomdod,” on June 14, 2024, a search was conducted at his home in the Khayoti Nav neighborhood of Dushanbe, and officials “took many boxes from Iskandarov’s house and took everything with them.”

Earlier, the editor-in-chief and head of the portal “Isloh.net” Muhammadikboli Sadriddin and the leader of the “Vatandor” movement Dododjon Atovulloev reported the detention and interrogation of more than 50 veterans of the government and opposition, including former interior minister Yokub Salimov, former opposition field commander and now government member Salamsho Mukhabatov, a colonel and former head of the anti-terrorist group “Alpha” of the State National Security Committee, and others.

The authorities have not yet commented on the detention and interrogation of the former high-ranking officials.

Previously, the country’s prosecutor general Yusuf Rahmon, during his speech before parliament, requested to strip Usmonzoda of parliamentary immunity and stated that a criminal case had been initiated against Saidjafar Usmonzoda and “others” on charges of “attempting a violent seizure of power using his official position.”