Radio Ozodi: Salam Imomnazarov, sentenced to 16 years, transferred to Khujand colony

Radio Ozodi (Радио Озоди), dated 22 August 2022, reports that Salam Imomnazarov (Салам Имомназаров), a sportsman and the son of a killed informal leader of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO / ГБАО), was transferred to the Khujand colony to serve a 16-year prison sentence for alleged drug trafficking. The article states the sentence was handed down in late June 2022 but became known only in August. According to a relative who spoke anonymously, the trial took place inside the Dushanbe pre-trial detention facility (SIZO) and Imomnazarov did not admit guilt. The source said relatives were not notified of the trial date and that his sister was permitted only a 10–15 minute pre-sentence meeting. The article states Imomnazarov instructed relatives not to appeal, citing disbelief in the court system. Radio Ozodi’s attempts to obtain comment from judicial authorities were unsuccessful; the family said they do not know which court issued the sentence. Imomnazarov was arrested on 19 February 2022 at Dushanbe airport on return from medical treatment in Turkey, after sustaining a gunshot wound in a 6 September shoot-out in Khorog involving supporters of Tolib Ayombekov (Толиб Аёмбеков). He was charged under Article 200 part 4 of the Criminal Code (illegal drug trafficking). The article states the source added that in 2015 a detained drug trafficker had named Imomnazarov during interrogation; his relatives deny any involvement and say he was engaged in entrepreneurship. The article notes Imomnazarov is a judoka and the son of Imomnazar Imomnazarov (Имомназар Имомназаров), an informal GBAO leader killed in his Khorog home in August 2012; the family attributes the killing to Tajik authorities, who deny involvement. The article adds that after the GBAO events of November 2021 and May 2022, dozens of protest participants from Khorog and Rushan were tried; three received life sentences. Sources cited: anonymous relatives and sources of Radio Ozodi in GBAO.