Tajikistan Justice - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 79 - 84 of 85

The Geopolitical Fallout of Taliban’s Takeover: Neighboring Countries and Their Responses

The swift takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban following the withdrawal of foreign forces (notably the United States) has created a complex geopolitical situation for neighboring countries. These nations had contemplated the prospect of a Taliban resurgence, but the sudden shift in power dynamics forced them to publicly acknowledge their stance towards a Taliban-led Afghanistan. The General Response In general, the consensus among these nations has been an acceptance of the new reality, with many expressing a willingness to engage in dialogue with Afghanistan's new leadership. While the two regional heavyweights, Moscow and Beijing, have both indicated their readiness to negotiate with the Taliban, they harbor concerns about militants from their own countries that are currently in Afghanistan and allied with the Taliban. The safety of foreign citizens still residing in Afghanistan further complicates the situation. Pakistan, a long-standing supporter of the Taliban, openly welcomed the group's recent success. Meanwhile, China, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan choose to concede their lack of influence over Afghan internal politics, instead expressing hope for potential cooperation with the Taliban. Tajikistan's Unique Stance Tajikistan, under the leadership of President Emomali Rahmon, presents a different narrative. Rahmon has been vocal in his opposition to the Taliban government in Afghanistan. This stance is partly due to his history as Tajikistan's leader during the previous Taliban control of Afghanistan and his support for ethnic Tajiks there who have been battling the Taliban. Tajiks constitute approximately 25% of the Afghan population, and their connection to Tajiks in Tajikistan is strong. None of the other neighboring states have this sort of relationship. Rahmon's concern for the Afghan Tajiks has earned him rare public support at home, which could be crucial as he prepares his son, Rustam, to succeed him as president. There appears to be a growing concern among Tajikistan's citizens about the potential illiberal influence of the Taliban. Following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, Tajikistan received thousands of refugees, with many more gathering at the border. This influx could indicate a fear of Taliban's rule among the population. There are also reports of Taliban attacks on Tajik communities. The Taliban enforces justice through its strict interpretation of Sharia law, including the implementation of criminal punishments such as public executions. Judges within the Taliban enforce the hierarchy and maintain centralized authority. This system has been criticized by human rights organizations for lacking justice, truth and reparation for crimes under international law as well as for human rights violations. Challenges Ahead Rahmon faces significant challenges in engaging with the Taliban due to the country's history with the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT). The IRPT, an Islamic political party far more moderate than the Taliban, was a major opposition group during Tajikistan's 1992-1997 civil war. It later became the second-largest party in Tajikistan, posing a threat to Rahmon's power. In 2015, the Tajik government banned the IRPT, labeling it an extremist group based on claims of a coup attempt. Given this history, it's hard for the Tajik government to establish ties with...

Tajikistan Justice Tajikistan Tajikistan Opinions

The Threat of Taliban to Democracy in Tajikistan: An Intensifying Crisis

Tajikistan is in an increasingly precarious position due to the resurgent Taliban regime in neighboring Afghanistan. Unlike its regional counterparts, Tajikistan stands firm in its refusal to engage with the Taliban, highlighting its unique stance in the geopolitical landscape. The Taliban's swift takeover of Afghanistan has raised alarm bells in Tajikistan, with the government intensifying its criticism of the extremist group. The increasing complexity of threats posed by the Taliban and cross-border attacks by Islamic State affiliates have left leaders grappling for security solutions. There has been an uneasy truce along the Afghanistan's border with its Central Asian neighbors in the months after the Taliban seized control. However, the emergence of a new Taliban-affiliated group, Tehrik-e-Taliban Tajikistan, signals a heightened threat to Tajikistan's national security. This precarious situation is further complicated by the fact that Tajikistan's land border with Afghanistan has been closed since the Taliban takeover in 2021. This has restricted travel and trade between the two nations, adding economic pressure to the already tense standoff. In addition to the immediate threat that the Taliban poses, there are also fears about extremist groups using Afghanistan as a base for conducting terrorist activities. This has sparked terror fears in Central Asia, including in Tajikistan. While the international community has adopted a wait-and-see approach towards the Taliban, Tajikistan has taken a sharply and openly critical stance. This could potentially isolate the nation further and put its democratic principles under strain. It is clear that the threat Taliban poses to Tajikistan's democracy continues to be multi-faceted and is escalating. Ever since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Tajikistan has been under an increased threat of terrorist attacks. The question remains whether these incursions into Tajikistan were real or staged, but there exists a real threat to the nation's security and democracy. The country's refusal to engage with the Taliban, coupled with the emergence of new extremist groups and the potential for Afghanistan to become a hub for terrorism, continue to pose a significant challenge to Tajikistan's democratic values and national security.

Tajikistan Justice Tajikistan

Sentences Handed to Six Individuals in FSB Building Terror Plot Case

In a recent development concerning the case of plotting an explosion in the FSB building on Lubyanka, a Moscow court has handed down sentences ranging from 16 to 22 years in prison to five Tajiks and one Dagestani. The severity of the verdict echoes the gravity of their involvement in planning a terrorist attack in May 2022. The individuals sentenced include citizens of Tajikistan—Manuchehr and Rajabali Buriev, Abdumalik Samiev, Samandar Toshmurodov, and Abdukodir Toirov—alongside Russian-born Gadzhimurad Gasanaliev. Fines ranging from 600,000 to a million rubles were imposed on all the defendants by the court. The legal process further extends from a previous ruling by the Moscow Regional Military Court, which sentenced the same six individuals to prison terms between 12 to 18 years for planning a terrorist attack and illegal possession of explosives, among other charges. While four of the accused admitted guilt, two pleaded partially guilty during the trial. Investigative reports revealed the defendants' intentions to detonate a bomb inside a minibus in the Moscow suburb of Lyubertsy in 2016. Additionally, authorities claimed their allegiance to the extremist group Islamic State (IS), intending to join IS militants in Syria post the planned attack. This case reflects a larger concern regarding individuals from Russia and former Soviet republics joining extremist groups in conflict zones like Syria and Iraq. Rights activists in Russia have raised concerns about the treatment and legal representation of migrants from Central Asian states, citing inadequate protection against unjust treatment by authorities. As the legal proceedings unfold, this case stands as a stark reminder of the vigilance required to counter terrorism and the ongoing challenges surrounding effective legal representation and protection for individuals involved in such cases.

Tajikistan Justice Tajikistan Life & Culture Tajikistan Local Politics Tajikistan

Son of Former Minister Faces 7-day Administrative Arrest Following Dushanbe Restaurant Altercation

A clash at the Bukhoro-Palace Restaurant in Dushanbe led to the detention of four individuals, including Alisher Gulov, the 25-year-old son of former Minister of Energy and Industry Sherali Gul, and Sherdil Sirojev, son of a prominent Tajik businessman linked to the Jal-Jam bazaar's demolition in 2019. The Dushanbe Police Directorate's official website disclosed this incident on December 1, noting the involvement of Alisher Gulov and Sirojev in a major altercation that occurred on the night of November 30. The detained individuals, comprising Alisher Gulov, Rahmon Mahmadbekov (26), Jasour Khojayev (26), and Suhrob Sharipov (27), all residents of Dushanbe, were confirmed to be in a state of inebriation following a medical examination, as per the official statement. In adherence to Article 460 of the Administrative Code, classifying disorderly conduct, authorities filed an administrative offense report against them, subsequently transferring the case to a Dushanbe court located in the Ismoili Somoni district. Each individual received a reported sentence of seven days of administrative arrest. Reports from Radio Liberty's Tajik Service, known locally as Radio Ozodi, shed light on the confrontation between Alisher Gulov, an Interior Ministry officer, and Sherdil Sirojev. This altercation resulted in injuries sustained by two associates of Gulov, along with Sirojev and his friend Mirsaid, who were subsequently admitted to a hospital for treatment.

Tajikistan Justice Tajikistan Local Politics Tajikistan Tajikistan Features

Tajik Political Activist Sentenced to 8 ½ Years in Prison

A court in Dushanbe has sentenced Nizomiddin Nasriddinov, a former activist of the Group 24 opposition movement, to 8 1/2 years in prison on a charge of making public calls to forcibly change Tajikistan's constitutional order, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reported. According to an anonymous source involved in the trial, RFE/RL was informed on October 5th that the Ismoili Somoni district court delivered Nasriddinov's verdict and sentence on September 29th. The source added that the former activist pleaded not guilty. Court officials and Nasriddinov’s relatives declined to comment on the matter. The court requested RFE/RL to submit an official letter for comment. Recently, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Human Rights Watch, Freedom for Eurasia, and Freedom Now jointly urged Tajik authorities to drop what they deemed as "fabricated" charges against Nasriddinov and release him immediately. Nasriddinov was detained by Belarusian authorities in January at the request of Dushanbe when he entered Belarus from Lithuania. Subsequently, he was extradited to Tajikistan in July. Notably, Nasriddinov holds refugee status in Germany. His affiliation with Group 24, which was designated as a terrorist and extremist organization and banned in the tightly governed former Soviet republic in 2014, has been highlighted. In March 2015, the movement's founder, businessman Umarali Quvatov, was assassinated in Istanbul. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, known for his nearly 30-year firm grip on the Central Asian nation, has faced criticism from international human rights groups. They accuse his administration of disregarding independent media, religious freedoms, civil society, and political diversity. In the past year, Tajik courts sentenced seven journalists and bloggers to prison terms ranging from seven to 21 years. They were charged with spreading false information, involvement in extremist activities, and association with banned groups. Both the accused and their supporters, alongside human rights organizations, have labeled these charges as baseless and politically motivated

Tajikistan Justice Tajikistan Local Politics Tajikistan

Tajikistan Reports Killing of Three Militants Crossing Afghan Border

Tajikistan has confirmed the killing of three individuals from a "terrorist group" who infiltrated the country from neighboring Afghanistan. Announced on September 6th by the KDAM security service, this incident marks the second occurrence of its kind this year. The three individuals made the crossing overnight on August 30th with the intention of “committing a terrorist act ahead of Tajikistan's national holiday” on September 9th, according to a KDAM statement. Identified as Tajikistan natives, the trio was neutralized early on September 5th. The resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan has heightened apprehensions about potential instability in Tajikistan.