The case of Pirmukhammadzoda is being conducted under Article 307.

The authorities of Tajikistan accuse the well-known Tajik journalist and blogger Abdusattor Pirmuhammadzoda of extremism.

Photo: Internet

According to Radio Ozodi, the head of the Organized Crime Control Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan, Shodi Khafizoda, announced at a press conference on July 19 that a criminal case has been initiated against Pirmuhammadzoda under Article 307-1 “Public Calls for Extremist Activities” of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan.

He faces a prison sentence of 3 to 5 years.

On July 15, the General Prosecutor’s Office of Tajikistan reported that Abdusattor Pirmuhammadzoda had been placed under arrest by a court decision until July 19. He was accused of “disobeying the demands of law enforcement officers.”

On the day of Eid al-Adha, July 9, law enforcement agencies detained blogger and activist Abdusattor Pirmuhammadzoda.

Earlier, on July 7, officers from the Organized Crime Control Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the city of Vahdat interrogated Pirmuhammadzoda for several hours and then warned him to refrain from criticism and to write only about tourism and historical topics, as well as not to disclose information about his detention. A search was conducted at his home, and his mobile phone was confiscated.

Independent experts believe that Tajik law enforcement agencies have used accusations of “collaboration with banned parties and movements” or “extremism” in recent years as a means of pressure and repression against dissenters, journalists, and civil society activists who expose the actions of officials and openly speak about societal issues. International human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized the actions of the Tajik authorities.