Authorities have begun confiscating the property of prominent figures

The judicial authorities have initiated the process of confiscating the houses, apartments, and cars of convicted politicians and a journalist.

As reported by Radio Ozodi, following the enforcement of the court’s sentence regarding the imprisonment of prominent figures in the “state coup” case, the judicial authorities have begun confiscating their property.

It is reported that in the Farhor district, the authorities have already confiscated the parental home of the former chairman of the Democratic Party and former parliament deputy Saidjafar Usmonzoda. However, the authorities were unable to confiscate Usmonzoda’s apartment in Dushanbe, where he had been living recently, as it was registered in his wife’s name.

The authorities also confiscated the house of former Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi in Dushanbe. His neighbors reported that two days ago, judicial officials arrived at his residence and warned relatives that the court had ordered the confiscation of the property and that they must vacate it. A source reports that the authorities intend to confiscate two of Zarifi’s cars.

Additionally, on April 15, representatives of the judicial authorities also visited the apartment of former Chairman of the Supreme Council and acting President of Tajikistan Akbarsho Iskandarov and warned his relatives to vacate the house within two days.

“Akbarsho’s nephew objected, stating that the house belongs to him, but the judicial officials responded that they were merely carrying out an order, and if he disagrees, he can appeal to the Supreme Court,” the report states.

The authorities also confiscated the house of former Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan Ahmadsho Komilzoda. According to neighbors, on April 14, representatives of the Enforcement Service gave his relatives only three days to vacate. Komilzoda’s daughter, Shahnaz, stated that her father has no property, and the house registered in her mother’s name is also subject to confiscation by court order.

The Deputy Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Shokirdzhon Hakimov, avoided confiscation as his family owned the only residence, which by law cannot be seized. Journalist Rukhshona Hakimova rented an apartment and owned no property; however, about 230,000 somoni in her bank account were frozen, and the fate of these funds remains unknown.

It is reported that two properties belonging to Abdulfaiz Atoi are also subject to confiscation.

It should be noted that a group of former politicians, officials, and one journalist were arrested in February of this year on charges of “treason” and “attempted coup” and sentenced to terms ranging from 8 to 27 years in prison.

This is not the first case of property confiscation from those convicted of “state coup” charges in Tajikistan. Previously, in 2015, after the imprisonment of leaders and supporters of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, the state nationalized dozens of real estate properties, including residential and commercial properties.