Former teacher detained in Isfara on suspicion of extremism

Kamoliddin Sharofov, a former teacher and resident of the city of Isfara, was detained by law enforcement for criticizing the conscription system for new recruits to the army.

Sharofov’s relatives reported to Radio Ozodi on May 15 that he was detained after he demanded that officials of the jamoat refrain from unlawful actions. He was accused of extremism. He is currently being held in the pre-trial detention center in Khujand.

According to a source, on May 5, a dispute occurred in the building of the Surkh jamoat in Isfara. According to his relatives, one of Sharofov’s friends was invited to the Surkh jamoat and was demanded to return his son from Russia and send him to serve in the army. A dispute arose, and Kamoliddin Sharofov intervened to support his friend.

The source stated that Kamoliddin Sharofov threatened to file a complaint with Radio Ozodi and the “Isloh TV” portal.

Soon after this, he was detained. According to the investigation, Kamoliddin Sharofov was allegedly subscribed to the “Isloh TV” portal on social media, frequently liked posts, and shared videos from this opposition site.

The message notes that Kamoliddin Sharofov previously worked as a teacher and is currently a pensioner. The relatives of the detained say that due to financial difficulties, the family cannot afford a lawyer.

This is not the first case where law enforcement has detained citizens of Tajikistan for following programs on “Isloh TV” or other opposition sites and liking their materials.

A source familiar with the situation reported that “employees of the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan use a certain policy throughout the country. If someone is undesirable to them or they want to make money, they accuse any young person of liking certain materials on social media. If the person can pay to be released, they will be freed; if not, they will be sent to prison for long terms.”

“In remote areas of the country, hundreds of young men and even middle-aged and elderly men, most of whom may not even know about Facebook, have been sent to prison for liking videos from “Isloh TV.” The cases of these detentions have not been covered by the media. No one knows about them. Perhaps only 20 percent of the total number of such cases is reported in the media,” the source stated.