Izzahtu Amonu added another 6 years in prison

The Ismoili Somoni District Court of Dushanbe has added another 6 years to the sentence of human rights defender Izzat Amon.

Photo: Internet

On June 6, the Dushanbe court announced the verdict in a new criminal case against the convicted Izzat Amon. He was found guilty of large-scale fraud. According to the case materials, a resident of Bokhtar, Nurullo Vokhidov, claims that the human rights defender embezzled his $10,000.

As reported by Radio Ozodi, Mahmadjusuf Kholov, the son of Izzat Amon, stated that they were ready to return the money to the complainant in the presence of the judge and prosecutor, but “the judge quickly announced the verdict and everyone left.”

One of the complainant’s relatives also stated that Izzat Amon’s family invited them to court, saying that the money would be returned there. However, the judge did not inquire about their opinion and announced the verdict.

Relatives of Izzat Amon stated that they disagree with the verdict and will appeal it to a higher court.

Previously, Izzat Amon was found guilty of large-scale fraud. He was sentenced to 9 years in a penal colony. His relatives appealed the verdict to the Supreme Court, but the verdict was upheld.

Izzat Amon, head of the Tajik Center in Moscow, disappeared from Russia on March 25, but Tajik authorities later stated that Russia deported the human rights defender. A criminal case had previously been opened against him in Tajikistan on charges of fraud, and he was detained immediately after landing at Dushanbe airport.

The detention of Izzat Amon in Tajikistan sparked negative reactions from labor migrants, civil society activists, and social media users, with many calling for his release, but authorities stated that Izzat Amon was detained on fraud charges based on citizens’ complaints.