RBC: Tajikistan's lower house unanimously approves amendments decriminalising 'likes' and emoji under extremism and terrorism articles — 1,507 persons currently serving sentences

The RBC (РБК) report of 12 April 2025 sets out a specific legislative development in Tajikistan with direct relevance to UK asylum cases invoking Articles 179 and 307 of the Tajik Criminal Code.

The legislative change. On 10 April 2025 the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Palace of Representatives, lower house of the Tajik parliament) unanimously adopted amendments to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan. The draft was presented by Umed Karimzoda, First Deputy Prosecutor General of Tajikistan. The amendment adds the phrase “with the exception of endorsement (posting a like or other sign)” to the notes to Articles 179(3) and 307(1), removing criminal liability for those specific online actions prospectively. The amendment requires further approval by the Majlisi Milli (upper house), presidential signature, and publication in the state gazette to take effect.

The articles affected. Article 179(3) of the Tajik Criminal Code establishes criminal liability for public calls to commit terrorist crimes and public justification of terrorism; maximum penalty is up to 15 years’ imprisonment. Article 307(1) concerns public calls for extremist activity and public justification of extremism; maximum penalty is up to 12 years’ imprisonment.

The prison-population figure disclosed. Karimzoda cited data from the Main Directorate for the Execution of Criminal Punishments (Главное управление исполнения уголовных наказаний, ГУИУН) of Tajikistan: 1,507 persons are currently serving sentences for liking videos or reports, and for leaving “comments and opinions containing terrorist and extremist content” under these articles.

Presidential context. The report cites President Emomali Rahmon’s public criticism of “baseless criminal prosecution for likes on the internet” and of “treating materials and videos circulating on social media as evidence”, and his statement that “this practice must be ended”.

Onward-legal significance. The report implies the possibility of review of existing sentences under the amended articles, though it does not confirm an amnesty or automatic release mechanism. Related reporting by Asia-Plus (referenced in the RBC article) is the primary Tajik-side source; RBC is a Russian-language outlet republishing the Asia-Plus facts for a Russian-speaking readership. The RBC report is cited here because the specific detail of the April 2025 amendment and the 1,507 figure are not yet reflected in English-language UK-facing COI materials.