Радио Озоди: В Таджикистане задерживают активных членов ПИВТ

The article, published by Радио Озоди (Radio Ozodi, RFE/RL Tajik service) on 17 September 2015, reports on the detention of senior figures and activists of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (ПИВТ / IRPT). Article reports that within 24 hours four senior IRPT figures were detained by security officers, citing Radio Ozodi sources: Саидумар Хусайни (Saidumar Husayni), Мухаммадали Хайит (Muhammadali Khait), Хикматулло Сайфуллозода (Hikmatullo Sayfullozoda) and Вохидхон Косиддинов (Vohidkhon Kosiddinov). Article reports that on the night of 16–17 September in Chorkuh village, Isfara district, Kosiddinov (deputy party chair) and his son Фаррух Косиддинов (Farrukh Kosiddinov) were detained. According to his son Хикматулло (Hikmatullo), cited in the article, the detaining officers did not identify themselves but the family believes they were from the State Committee for National Security (GKNB). Article reports the detention of Рахматулло Раджаб (Rahmatullo Rajab), head of the Dushanbe IRPT cell, on the evening of 16 September at his residence on Faridaddin Attori Street. Article reports that Sayfullozoda, the party’s official spokesperson, was detained at home that night. Article states that Husayni had been removed from a Dushanbe–Almaty flight at around 11:00 on 16 September by GKNB officers; Khait was detained hours later. The article references that approximately 50 regional party cells had reportedly been shut down and that the Justice Ministry had demanded the party cease activities. The article reports that the IRPT’s planned 15 September congress was postponed following operations against an armed group led by deputy defence minister Абдухалим Назарзода (Abdukhalim Nazarzoda), also known as Ходжи Халим (Khoji Khalim); the GKNB and Interior Ministry announced 16 September the neutralisation of that group and killing of its leader. IRPT leader Мухиддин Кабири (Muhiddin Kabiri), abroad at the time, is quoted via a prior interview saying authorities had long planned to close the party. Sources cited: Radio Ozodi reporting, IRPT family members, party representatives Zarafo Rahmoni and Sayfullozoda.