Freedom Now once again called for the release of convicted members of PIVT

The international human rights organization Freedom Now, based in New York, called on the authorities of Tajikistan to release imprisoned members of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan on its social media page X (formerly Twitter) on September 16.

“Eight years ago, the authorities of Tajikistan arrested the opposition political leader Mahmadali Hait and 12 of his colleagues on fabricated charges. They remain in prison in violation of international norms. We call for their immediate and unconditional release,” the statement said.

Mahmadali Hait and other leaders of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan were detained on September 16, 2015.

In June 2016, during a court session held behind closed doors at the Dushanbe detention center, Judge Sattorzoda A., who was then the deputy chairman of the Supreme Court of the country, issued a harsh sentence to the detained members of the IRPT. In particular, the deputies of the IRPT leader Saidumar Khusayni and Mahmadi Hait were sentenced to life imprisonment, Rahmatullohi Rajab, Kiyomidin Avazov, and Abdukakhori Davlat to 28 years in prison, and Zarapho Rakhmoni, who testified against other IRPT members during the trial, to 2 years in prison. The others received sentences ranging from 14 to 26 years of imprisonment.

The case of the IRPT members was classified as “secret,” the trial was held behind closed doors, and there were significant violations of procedural law during the investigation and trial, with witnesses and detainees subjected to torture.

The authorities explained the reason for the detention and harsh sentences by claiming that the IRPT and its leaders were involved in the rebellion of General Abduhalim Nazarzoda, the Deputy Minister of Defense of Tajikistan, which resulted in the deaths of dozens of people in September 2015. The leadership of the IRPT and the detainees themselves have repeatedly rejected the authorities’ accusations, stating that the authorities used this as a pretext to eliminate the party from the political arena of the country.

The UN, the European Union, as well as international and human rights organizations have repeatedly called on the government of Tajikistan to immediately release all political prisoners, including convicted members of the IRPT, “Group 24,” Buzurgmehr Yorov, Zayd Saidov, Mahmadruzi Iskandarov, and other political activists. However, the authorities of Tajikistan continually ignore the calls and demands of international organizations.