Fergana EN: Most defendants in TJ coup case convicted of treason

The report states that the First Deputy Chairman of Tajikistan’s Supreme Court, Shavkat Lutfullozoda, told a Dushanbe press conference that most defendants in the alleged coup case were convicted of treason (Part 1, Article 305) and violent seizure of power (Part 1, Article 306). According to the report, former Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi was sentenced to 27 years in prison on multiple charges, including insulting a government official online and knowingly false reporting of a serious crime, and ordered to pay a fine of 10,000 somoni. The report notes that former Democratic Party leader and ex-MP Saidjafar Usmonzoda also received 27 years, with additional convictions for inciting social or religious discord, participation in an “extremist organisation” and large-scale fraud. Other sentences listed include 21 years for retired State Security Committee Colonel Jamshid Boboev, 19 years for former Democratic Party deputy chairman Ahmadshoh Komilzoda, and 18 years for former Supreme Court Chairman Akbarshoh Iskandarov, Social Democratic Party deputy chairman Shokirjon Hakimov, and retired KGB Colonel Nurahmad Ganizoda. The report states that proceedings were held behind closed doors at the Dushanbe detention centre despite a defence request for an open hearing, and that the verdict was announced on 5 February with the ruling to come into force on 15 February.