The Committee for the Protection of Political Prisoners condemned the verdict against Izzat Amon

In its statement published on October 20, the Civil Committee for the Protection of Political Hostages and Prisoners in Tajikistan condemned the sentencing of Izzat Amon to 9 years in prison as contrary to all humanitarian and legal norms.

Photo: Internet

The committee also labeled Izzat Amon a political prisoner, stating that “this detention is a clear sign of yet another act of retribution by the Rahmon regime against dissenters.”

The committee urged the Supreme Court, civil society, diplomatic corps, and human rights organizations not to remain indifferent to this case.

On October 19, the court in Dushanbe sentenced human rights defender Izzat Amon to nine years of imprisonment. Izzat Amon’s lawyer, Saiburkhon Sharipov, told the media that his client has a 100% chance of receiving a pardon, as he has compensated for all damages.

“In delivering the verdict, the court violated the laws of the Republic of Tajikistan, including Article 49 of the Criminal Code and Article 5 of the Law on Amnesty. This verdict is illegal. When the law comes into force, the court must uphold justice. The amnesty law should have been applied to my client,” said Saidurkhon Sharipov.

Sharipov noted that he and his client disagree with the court’s verdict, consider it illegal, and are appealing to higher authorities.

Prior to the verdict, Tajik human rights defenders believed that Izzat Amon would be released under the amnesty law.

There were also reports in the media that after the plaintiffs were reimbursed in full, Izzat Amon would be included in the list of those to be amnestied.

His relatives and friends told the media that they disagree with all the accusations against Izzat Amon, but paid the full amount for his release. Izzat Amon’s debt to the plaintiffs amounted to 1 million 90 thousand Russian rubles and 1000 US dollars.

The new amnesty law came into effect on September 10 of this year. The amnesty provision includes “fraud in a particularly large amount” (part 4 of Article 247 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), under which a case was initiated against Izzat Amon.

Earlier, the secretary of the Dushanbe court informed Radio Ozodi that the court hearing in the case of Izzat Amon concluded on September 22 and the case against him was terminated.

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 upon arrival 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 charges of fraud based on citizens’ complaints.