Investigation into the case of prominent politicians extended

The General Prosecutor’s Office of Tajikistan has extended the investigation into the case of prominent political figures for two months.

Six notable individuals, including former parliament deputy and chairman of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan Saidjafar Usmonzoda and his deputy Ahmadshokh Komilzoda, former chairman of the Supreme Council of Tajikistan Akbarshokh Iskandarov, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Hamrokhon Zarifi, well-known lawyer and deputy chairman of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan Shokirdzhon Hakimov, as well as the former consul of Tajikistan in Afghanistan’s Kunduz Abdulfaiz Atoev, are accused of attempting a coup d’état.

According to Radio Ozodi, citing its sources, it was expected that in early September the General Prosecutor’s Office of Tajikistan would send the case for further consideration to the Supreme Court.

However, the investigation was deemed incomplete, and the case was returned for further investigation.

It is reported that Saidjafar Usmonzoda, Akbarshokh Iskandarov, Ahmadshokh Komilzoda, and Shokirdzhon Hakimov are accused of attempting to seize power by force (Article 306 of the Criminal Code). Additionally, charges have been brought against some of these prominent figures for inciting national and religious hatred (Article 189 of the Criminal Code). Shokirdzhon Hakimov has denied all accusations.

It is still unknown under which articles the case against Hamrokhon Zarifi and Abdulfaiz Atoev has been initiated, as their case is classified as “secret” and declared a state secret.

Earlier, media reported that former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Hamrokhon Zarifi was released after a month of detention; however, sources from Azda TV report that he has been in custody since June and has not been released.

In early June 2024, a number of high-ranking officials and politicians were detained.

The first to be detained was former leader of the Democratic Party and former parliament deputy Saidjafar Usmonzoda. He was arrested on June 12. On June 14, at a regular session of parliament, based on the proposal of the General Prosecutor, Saidjafar Usmonzoda was stripped of his immunity and arrested.

Saidjafar Usmonzoda was accused of colluding with the opposition and “attempting to seize power by force” in the country using his official position.