Forum18: Ismaili Davlatmirov prison death

Forum 18 (Oslo), dated 30 June 2025 and by-lined Felix Corley, reports the prison death of Muzaffar Vafonazarovich Davlatmirov, a leading Ismaili Muslim khalifa (cleric) from Mountainous Badakhshan. The report states he died on 26 June 2025 aged 61, in General Regime Prison YaS 3/6 at Yavan in Khatlon Region, nearly three years into a five-year sentence. The document reports that Davlatmirov had diabetes and that from May 2025 his condition worsened — high blood sugar, asthma exacerbation, breathing difficulty and high blood pressure, per Pamir Inside citing informed sources on 27 June. Relatives and friends repeatedly requested hospital transfer; prison officials promised to “sort things out later” and did not provide “qualified medical care”. Prisons fall under the Justice Ministry’s Department for the Execution of Criminal Punishments, which did not answer calls. The article finds that NSC secret police arrested Davlatmirov on 26 July 2022 in Khorugh; on 3 August 2022 Badakhshan Regional Court (Judge Abdukhanon Nazarzoda) sentenced him to five years under Criminal Code Article 307-1 Part 2 (“public calls for extremist activity” via media/internet). Independent journalist Anora Sarkorova is quoted saying he led janaza funeral prayers for three informal leaders — Mahmadboqir Mahmadboqirov, Zoir Rajabov and Khursand Mazoriev — killed in the regime’s May 2022 suppression. Internal sources cited include Pamir Inside, RFE/RL Radio Ozodi, UN Special Rapporteur Nazila Ghanea (report A/HRC/55/47/Add.1, 18 January 2024).