The judge will be held criminally liable

The upper house of the parliament of Tajikistan has stripped a judge of immunity at its latest meeting.

Photo: Internet

Today, December 17, during a session of the Majlisi milli (upper house of parliament) of Tajikistan, deputies stripped Judge Shirinzo Eradja of the Supreme Economic Court of Tajikistan of his immunity, thereby paving the way for his criminal prosecution.

The proposal to revoke Judge Eradja Shirinzo’s immunity was put forward at the parliamentary session by the country’s Attorney General Yusuf Rahmon.

“During today’s session, having considered the proposal of the Attorney General of the Republic of Tajikistan to revoke the immunity of Judge Shirinzo Eradja Sifot of the Supreme Economic Court of the Republic of Tajikistan, the deputies of the Majlisi milli approved the proposal for his criminal prosecution and detention,” the parliament’s press service reports.

No details about the criminal actions of Eradja Shirinzo have been reported; however, earlier, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon dismissed Eradja Shirinzo with the wording “in connection with actions that discredit the honor and dignity of a judge.”

Despite being dismissed with such wording, which often implies receiving or extorting a bribe, in 2019, by a decree of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Judge Shirinzo Eradja Sifot of the Supreme Economic Court of the Republic of Tajikistan was awarded the medal “Khizmati Shoista.”

On the website of the Supreme Economic Court, it was previously reported that Shirinzo Eradja had “diligently” worked in the judicial system of the country and deserved this state award.

“Shirinzo Eradja has worked diligently and honestly in the judicial system for many years. Thus, Shirinzo Eradja was awarded this state honor for effective work, a high level of professional knowledge, timely and quality consideration of judicial cases, correct application of materials and procedural norms, and his contribution to the legal education of the citizens of the country,” the website of the Supreme Economic Court states.

The history of statehood in Tajikistan knows dozens of other cases involving high-ranking officials who were awarded state honors for “diligent” activities, but later for various reasons fell out of favor and were dismissed or imprisoned.