CPJ: Mirsaidov arrested after alleging corruption

Published by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ, New York) on 13 December 2017, this news release reports the arrest of Tajik journalist Khayrullo Mirsaidov and calls for charges against him to be dropped. The document reports that Mirsaidov was arrested weeks after publishing an open letter to President Emomali Rahmon, the general prosecutor, and the governor of the Sughd region asking them to act against corrupt local officials. The report states the letter was published in local media on 8 November 2017 and alleged that the head of the Sughd sports and youth department, Olim Zohidzoda, requested US$1,000 in kickbacks from the local comedy troupe Mirsaidov manages. The article finds that Zohidzoda denied the allegations and accused the journalist of defamation. The document reports that on 5 December 2017 the regional prosecutor general’s office in Khujand summoned Mirsaidov for questioning and then arrested him, and on 8 December 2017 a local judge charged him with embezzlement, forgery, false reporting to police, and inciting ethnic and religious hatred, ordering two months’ detention. The report states charges carry up to 21 years. CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney is quoted. Mirsaidov’s father Khabibullo Mirsaidov told RFE/RL that his son denied the charges. The document reports that Mirsaidov has covered politics, human rights, ethnic minorities and environmental issues since 2000, contributing to Deutsche Welle, Fergana, Asia-Plus, and as a media trainer on OSCE, UNDP, DFID and Index on Censorship projects.