The trial of the journalist will begin on September 21

The trial of Tajik journalist Abdullo Gurbati will begin on September 21 at the court in the Shohmansur district of the capital.

Photo: Internet

According to Radio Ozodi, his lawyer Abdurakhmon Sharipov reported that his case was sent to court for consideration a month ago, and it is unknown whether the trial will be public or held behind closed doors. In the past, authorities did not allow journalists to participate in the trial of activists, even though the process was declared public.

The journalist is accused of publicly insulting a representative of the authorities, violence against a representative of the authorities, and participating in an extremist community.

Abdullo Gurbati was summoned for questioning on June 15 at the prosecutor’s office of the Shohmansur district in Dushanbe and was detained.

Initially, law enforcement agencies accused Abdullo Gurbati of allegedly “beating” a police officer in the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Shohmansur-1. Later, authorities added the charge of participation in an extremist community. He faces a prison sentence of five to eight years for this charge.

International organizations have called on the Tajik authorities to release Abdullo Gurbati and drop his case, but the authorities have ignored these demands.