HRW: Journalist faces prison undisclosed charges

Human Rights Watch news release dated 28 January 2025 (Berlin) reports that Tajik investigative journalist Ruhshona Khakimova, a member of the National Association of Independent Mass Media of Tajikistan, faces charges in a classified case carrying up to 17 years in prison. The report states charges were issued in July 2024, reportedly linked to a public survey she conducted on China’s influence in Tajikistan, and that she and her lawyer signed a non-disclosure agreement. Because she is caring for an infant, the court placed her under house arrest and seized her identity documents. An update notes that on 5 February 2025 the Supreme Court sentenced her to 8 years in prison after a closed trial; the report states she was arrested in the courtroom and separated from two young children, one aged 8 months. The release also states that Ahmad Ibrohim, chief editor of the weekly Payk, was sentenced on 10 January 2025 to 10 years following a classified trial, and names seven other imprisoned Tajik journalists including Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva (21 years, 2022), Abdullo Ghurbati, Daler Imomali, Zavqibek Saidamini, Khushruz Jumayev, Abdusattor Pirmuhammadzoda and Khurshed Fozilov. Khakimova is identified as the niece of Shokirjon Khakimov, arrested in July 2024 in the “coup d’état case”. Central Asia researcher Syinat Sultanalieva is quoted.