Diplomat: After secret trial lengthy sentences for former officials

The report states that on 5 February 2025 the Supreme Court of Tajikistan, following a closed-door trial, handed down lengthy prison terms to eight former senior officials and politicians convicted of charges linked to an alleged plot to seize state power. The report states that those sentenced include former Foreign Minister Hamrokhkhon Zarifi, former parliament speaker Akbarshoh Iskandarov, former parliamentarian Saidjafar Usmonzoda, Democratic Party deputy head Ahmadshoh Komilzoda and Social Democratic Party deputy leader Shokirjon Hakimov, who received 18 years. The report states that the trial opened on 14 November 2024 inside a Dushanbe detention facility with no public announcement, and that family members, independent media and members of the public were barred from proceedings. The report states that Prosecutor-General Yusuf Rahmon had alleged the defendants sought foreign financing and coordinated with the banned National Alliance of Tajikistan and Jamoati Ansorulloh to take power by force, though specific charges and evidence were never publicly disclosed. The report states that a separate case against journalist Rukhshona Khakimova, a niece of Hakimov, resulted in an eight-year sentence on treason charges. The report states that rights observers describe the convictions as politically motivated and consistent with a broader crackdown on dissent ahead of a potential power transition to President Rahmon’s son Rustam Emomali.