The Prosecutor General’s Office announced the reasons for the arrests

Today, July 15, a representative of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Tajikistan announced the reasons for the detention of journalists Zavkibek Saidamini and Abdusat tor Pirmukhammadzoda.

Photo: Internet

As reported by Sharif Kurbonzoda, a responsible employee of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Tajikistan, at a press conference, Tajik journalist Zavkibek Saidamini was detained on suspicion of collaborating with the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan and the “Group 24.” Another journalist, Abdusat tor Pirmukhammadzoda, was detained for disobeying the demands of a police officer. These accusations are reminiscent of those against other detained journalists Daleri Imomali and Abdullo Gurbati.

Kurbonzoda stated that on July 13 of this year, the investigative department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs initiated a criminal case against Zavkibek Saidamini under Article 307, Part 3, Clause 2 (Participation in the activities of an extremist organization) and a preliminary investigation has begun. He mentioned that during the investigation, a connection between Zavkibek Saidamini and the Islamic Renaissance Party and “Group 24” was established. According to him, he is being held in the pre-trial detention center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the city of Vahdat.

Zavkibek Saidamini himself has repeatedly stated that he has not collaborated with any party or organization.

Sharif Kurbonzoda, a representative of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Tajikistan, reported that Abdusat tor Pirmukhammadzoda was detained on July 9 by employees of the Department of Internal Affairs of the city of Vahdat for disobeying the demands of a police officer. This was reported by Radio Ozodi.

Kurbonzoda added that preliminary materials for the case have been collected and prepared, but a final decision has not yet been made.

Earlier, on July 8, Zavkibek Saidamini was detained in Dushanbe near one of the car washes and taken to the Department of Internal Affairs of the city of Vahdat. Employees of the organized crime control department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs detained Zavkibek Saidamini along with his classmate. The classmate was later released, while Zavkibek Saidamini was placed under arrest.

Also on the day of Eid al-Adha, July 9, law enforcement agencies detained blogger and activist Abdusat tor Pirmukhammadzoda.

Earlier, on July 7, employees of the organized crime control department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the city of Vahdat interrogated Pirmukhammadzoda for several hours and then warned him not to disclose information about his detention. They conducted a search of his home and seized his mobile phone.

According to Radio Ozodi, citing its sources, after the news of his interrogation was published, he was summoned again to the department. They reminded him that he had signed a non-disclosure agreement, but despite this, he communicated with Radio Ozodi. He stated that he had not communicated with journalists. He was then released.

Recently, law enforcement agencies have intensified pressure on journalists and bloggers. In recent months, law enforcement agencies have detained Abdullo Gurbati, Daleri Imomali, Mamadsulton Mavlonazarov (Muhammadi Sultan), Khushruz Jumayev (Khushom Gulom), and Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva.

The “Buzurgmehr” Foundation, established by relatives of political prisoners in Europe, in its statement called the detention of journalists “arbitrary and a pressure on civil society in Tajikistan,” calling for the release of the detained activists.