Радио Озоди: Оппозиция опровергла информацию МВД об аресте 33 своих сторонников

The article, published by Радио Озоди (Radio Ozodi) on 4 August 2021, reports that the Tajik opposition in exile denied a statement by Interior Minister Рамазон Рахимзода (Ramazon Rahimzoda) regarding arrests of their supporters. Article reports Rahimzoda told a 4 August press conference in Dushanbe that 143 people were detained in the first six months of the year on suspicion of involvement in banned, terrorist and extremist groups, including 33 supporters of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (ПИВТ / IRPT), the National Alliance of Tajikistan (НАТ / NAT) and Group 24. The article lists the minister’s breakdown: Muslim Brotherhood – 3, Islamic State – 26, Salafiyya – 45, Group 24 – 13, IRPT – 6, Ansorulloh – 2, Hizb ut-Tahrir – 6, Al-Qaeda – 3, Jamaat Tabligh – 8, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan – 18, National Alliance of Tajikistan – 14. Article reports Мухиддин Кабири (Muhiddin Kabiri), leader of the banned IRPT and chair of the NAT, told Radio Ozodi the statement was “propaganda” and that IRPT and NAT had long ceased activities inside Tajikistan. Article reports Group 24 spokesperson Саидали Ашуров (Saidali Ashurov) denied the 13 Group 24 arrests, saying in written correspondence that only one activist, Рахматджони Махмаджон (Rahmatjoni Mahmadjon), had been detained that year — kidnapped in Russia and deported to Tajikistan, with authorities not disclosing reasons or location. Ashurov is quoted saying Tajik authorities frequently circulate false arrest information to “demonstrate power” and warn citizens of contact with opponents. Kabiri is cited arguing such accusations sustain fear and divert attention from real problems. The article recounts the 29 September 2015 Supreme Court designation of IRPT as terrorist, the 15 August 2019 ban on NAT (founded September 2018 in Warsaw), the 9 October 2014 ban on Group 24 (founded 2012 in Moscow by Умарали Кувватов (Umarali Kuvvatov), killed 5 March 2015 in Istanbul), and the general framework of about 20 banned organisations. Sources cited: Interior Minister’s press conference, interview with Kabiri, correspondence with Ashurov.