The Minister of Justice again did not provide a clear answer to questions about political prisoners

The Minister of Justice, during a press conference on the results of the Ministry of Justice’s activities held on July 21 in Dushanbe, refrained from providing detailed answers to questions about the torture of political prisoners Mahmadali Hait and Saidumaro Husaini, deputies of the Chairman of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan.

During the press conference, journalists asked Minister of Justice Muzaffar Ashurzoda about the conditions of prisoners in the country’s colonies. However, instead of openly and clearly answering the questions posed, the minister, as usual, limited himself to general statements and refrained from answering the main questions or responded vaguely and indeterminately.

In particular, journalists requested comments on the complaints from the relatives of political prisoners, including Saidumaro Husaini and Mahmadali Hait. According to the relatives of these prisoners, they were subjected to torture, pressure, and suffered from unbearable conditions in the colonies.

A journalist from Radio Ozodi asked in what conditions these two political prisoners, sentenced to life imprisonment, are held, and whether the Ministry of Justice conducted an investigation into reports of their torture by prison guards.

The minister, without naming the prisoners and neither denying nor confirming the fact of torture being applied to them, responded that the consideration of these issues falls within the competence of the prosecution authorities.

“If any employees of the Main Department for the Execution of Criminal Sentences (GUIUN) subjected prisoners to torture or cruel treatment, this issue is addressed by the prosecution authorities,” he stated.

He also emphasized that if complaints or appeals were received, they would undoubtedly be reviewed and investigated.

Without naming the prisoners, Ashuriyon stated that due to the deterioration of the prisoners’ health, the agency has its own medical base. According to him, if necessary, medical specialists from outside are involved in the treatment of prisoners, and the treatment of the convicted is carried out according to their recommendations. He also stated that if the individuals mentioned by the journalists had filed complaints, they received responses according to their health status.

The minister stated that all prisoners suffering from chronic illnesses are constantly monitored by GUIUN and provided with necessary medications. Meanwhile, the relatives of the prisoners have repeatedly claimed that they themselves purchase the necessary medicines and deliver them to the colony.

The journalist also asked about the actions for which Gulbibi Haitova, who reported that her brother Mahmadali Hait was subjected to torture, was held accountable for violating public order.

The minister did not provide a specific and clear answer to this question and did not disclose what exact order Gulbibi Khaitova violated. He only stated that every citizen, regardless of whether they are a petitioner or not, must adhere to public order. According to him, if the order was violated, a corresponding document is drawn up and sent to the competent authorities. Ashuriyon also emphasized that if the violation of public order was severe, it could be classified as a criminal offense. The minister informed journalists that the responsible authorities would provide a response regarding this case.

It is worth noting that relatives of the imprisoned Mahmadali Khait in early June, after visiting him in the colony, reported that he had been subjected to torture. According to them, her brother was “beaten with batons by the colony staff, forced to stand naked in the snow, submerged in cold water, and placed in a punishment isolation cell for up to two weeks.”

Relatives of Khait also reported that he had previously suffered a traumatic brain injury and damage to his eardrum. According to relatives, the guards in the colony insult him and treat him roughly during daily checks.

After this, the woman was fined 546 somoni for violating public order.

Later, relatives of Saidumara Khusayni also reported ongoing pressure on this political prisoner and a deterioration in his health condition in prison.

Saidumara Khusayni and Mahmadali Khait, deputy chairmen of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan, were detained by Tajik law enforcement agencies in 2015 along with other members of the IRPT. In 2016, they were convicted on several counts of the Criminal Code of Tajikistan, including charges of terrorism and attempted violent seizure of power. The court sentenced them to life imprisonment. However, their relatives rejected all charges, calling them politically motivated.

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Mahmadali Khait and Saidumara Khusayni. However, the authorities of Tajikistan stated that the guilt of Mahmadali Khait and Saidumara Khusayni was fully proven in court, and the sentence handed down to them is lawful.