Kholbash Kholbashov sentenced to life imprisonment

The court sentenced the senior advisor to the commander of the Border Troops of Tajikistan – Major General Kholbash Kholbashov to life imprisonment.

Photo: Internet

The last court session for Kholbashov took place on September 21 behind closed doors at the GKNB detention center, and his relatives were not allowed to attend the trial.

The authorities have not yet commented on the verdict, but the state prosecutor demanded that he be found guilty on 11 counts of the Criminal Code of Tajikistan, including “organizing a criminal community” and “terrorism.”

According to well-known Tajik journalist Anora Sarkorova, he has been transferred from the GKNB detention center to a strict regime colony, but it is still unknown where exactly.

Photo: Internet

It is reported that Kholbashov himself denied the charges against him and claimed that he is innocent.

The trial of the senior advisor to the commander of the Border Troops of Tajikistan – Major General Kholbash Kholbashov, as well as 70 residents of the Rushan district of GBAO, began on August 3.

It is reported that General Kholbash Kholbashov and about 20 others were placed in a cage during the session, while the other defendants stood nearby in the hall.

It is also reported that the head of the Rushan district Farukh Dodkhudoev and his deputy Lailo Chorshanbieva are testifying in the case.

About 70 people sitting on the defendants’ bench with Kholbashov received sentences ranging from 1.5 to 18 years.

Kholbash Kholbashov, the former head of the Border Troops of the GKNB of Tajikistan, was arrested on May 18. On the same day, his ex-wife, journalist and civil society activist Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva, was detained.

The authorities described Kholbashov as the “leader of an organized criminal group” in the Rushan district. However, according to relatives of the former general, he served in the Border Troops of Tajikistan until his arrest. Along with Kholbash Kholbashov, the authorities detained more than 70 other residents of the Rushan district.

It is reported that the trial of journalist Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva and members of “Commission-44” is taking place behind closed doors in the GKNB detention center.

Previously, the state prosecutor demanded 25 years of imprisonment for her, but after Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva stated that the investigation was unfair and biased, the criminal case against her was returned for further investigation.