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Tajik Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova Faces Treason Charges Amid Controversy

Tajik authorities have charged journalist Rukhshona Khakimova, the niece of Shokirjon Khakimov, first deputy chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan, with high treason under Article 305 of the Criminal Code. The charges are part of a larger investigation into an alleged coup attempt, according to sources cited by Radio Ozodi. The case, initiated in July, took a significant turn on November 22 when the indictment against Rukhshona and Shokirjon Khakimov was formally presented in court. The trial, held behind closed doors, has limited access to details, leaving the public and media in the dark. The Allegations Sources suggest that Rukhshona Khakimova’s charges stem from her involvement in conducting a politically sensitive poll about China’s influence in Tajikistan. The survey reportedly included interviews with Saidjafar Usmonzoda, a political figure stripped of parliamentary immunity and later arrested, and her uncle, Shokirjon Khakimov, who is also implicated in the case. It remains unclear how this survey forms the basis of a high treason charge. The secrecy surrounding the trial further obscures the connection. Background on Khakimova Rukhshona Khakimova, 31, is a graduate of the National University of Tajikistan with a career that spans investigative journalism for prominent outlets, including Youth of Tajikistan and several international publications. She is also a mother of two young children, the youngest being just five months old. Due to her family situation, Khakimova is under house arrest. Both her domestic and foreign passports have been confiscated, restricting her movements. She and her lawyer have declined to comment on the case, adhering to its classified nature. A Broader Context The trial, which began on November 14, involves multiple defendants, including well-known politicians and public figures accused of conspiring against the government. Held in a detention facility in Dushanbe, the closed proceedings exclude the participation of family members and the press, fueling speculation and concern among observers. As the case unfolds, it raises critical questions about press freedom, political dissent, and judicial transparency in Tajikistan.

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Charges Reclassified for Defendants in Crocus Terror Attack Case

The charges against the four defendants in the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack case have been reclassified, lawyer Alexander Yarin has told Russia's state-owned TASS news agency. “Aminchon and Dilovar Islomov, their father Isroil Islomov, and Alisher Kasimov are now charged under Part 3 of Article 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code,” Yarin stated. Previously, the defendants were charged under paragraph “b” of Part 3 of Article 205 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to a terrorist act resulting in a fatality. The updated charges now reflect involvement in actions that facilitated the commission of a terrorist act. As previously reported by TCA, the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, located on the outskirts of Moscow, resulted in 144 fatalities and 551 injuries. The incident has created a climate of fear among Central Asian migrants living in Russia. In the aftermath of the attack, Tajik migrants have faced a surge of hostility and aggression, further exacerbating tensions within the migrant community.

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Chinese Foreign Ministry Condemns Attack on Tajik-Afghan Border That Killed a Chinese Citizen

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has confirmed the death of one Chinese citizen and the injury of four others following an attack near the Tajik-Afghan border. The incident, which occurred on November 18, targeted a camp operated by a private Chinese company on the Tajik side of the border. “China strongly condemns this brutal attack, expresses deep sorrow for the victims, and extends sincere condolences to the families of the victims,” stated the ministry. A working group from the Chinese Embassy in Dushanbe has arrived at the site to provide assistance and coordinate further actions. Rising Security Concerns Chinese companies, particularly those involved in mining activities such as gold extraction, are active in the region. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has urged the Tajik authorities to expedite investigations to determine the circumstances of the attack. “Given the security situation in the Tajik-Afghan border area, we remind Chinese citizens and enterprises in the region to pay special attention to security,” the ministry warned. The incident took place in the Shamsiddin Shokhin area along the 1,350-kilometer Tajik-Afghan border. Initial reports suggest the attack was carried out by armed individuals crossing from the Afghan side during the night of November 17–18. Motives Remain Unclear As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, the incident occurred in the Shamsiddin Shokhin area on the 1,350-kilometer-long Tajik-Afghan border. The attackers' motives and identities remain unknown. Local sources indicate that the incident may be linked to either militant activity or drug smuggling, but no official confirmation has been provided. In addition to the Chinese casualties, a local resident was also wounded. All injured individuals have been taken to the Shamsiddin Shokhin District Hospital for treatment. The Tajik authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the attack.

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Russian Interior Minister Reports Drop in Crimes Linked to Tajik Citizens

Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev announced a decline in crimes involving Tajik citizens in the Russian Federation during a joint meeting of the Russian and Tajik Interior Ministries in Moscow. This reduction includes both offenses committed by and against Tajik nationals, a trend Kolokoltsev emphasized should continue. One notable achievement highlighted was the resolution of a 30-year-old murder case in Sughd, which was solved through coordinated information-sharing between Russian and Tajik law enforcement agencies. Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation During the meeting, Kolokoltsev and Tajik Interior Minister Rahimzoda Ramazon Hamro approved a 2025 cooperation plan. The agreement includes measures to combat transnational crime, enhance collaboration between investigative units, share intelligence, and address drug trafficking. Rahimzoda stressed that ongoing cooperation strengthens security and improves the performance of law enforcement agencies in both countries. Tajik officials highlighted that joint events and initiatives have been held annually since the partnership began. Addressing Migration and Citizens’ Rights Kolokoltsev also referred to his May 2024 visit to Dushanbe, where discussions revolved around migration issues and the establishment of the Russian Interior Ministry’s passport and visa service. These efforts aim to enhance conditions for Tajik citizens living in Russia while safeguarding their rights and interests.

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One Person Killed, Five Wounded in Incident on the Tajik-Afghan Border

On the night of November 18, an attack occurred on the Tajik-Afghan border in Zarbuz Gorge, Shamsiddin Shokhin District, resulting in the death of a Chinese citizen and injuries to five others, including four Chinese nationals and a local resident. The incident was reported by Radio Ozodi, citing sources familiar with the situation. Tajik officials have not yet issued a statement on the matter. Details of the Attack According to sources, the attack originated from the Afghan side of the border, though it remains unclear whether the perpetrators were drug smugglers or militants. The injured were transported to the Shamsiddin Shokhin District Hospital, and law enforcement officials have launched an investigation at the scene. The presence of Chinese citizens in the area is connected to the operations of a gold mining enterprise located in the Dashti-Jum Nature Protection Zone, which adjoins the Zarbuz Gorge. The region is near the Sari Ghor border outpost, making it particularly susceptible to incursions from Afghan territory. A History of Tensions The Shamsiddin Shokhin section of the Tajik-Afghan border, stretching over 100 kilometers, has long been one of the most problematic areas. It has witnessed numerous incidents, including hostage-takings and attacks on Tajik citizens and military personnel. The region was also the site of the infamous 1993 attack on the Sari Gore border post, when Islamist militants targeted Russian border guards. This latest incident, however, marks the first time a Chinese citizen has fallen victim to violence at the border. Despite assurances from the Taliban that Afghan territories will not harbor terrorist groups, the Tajik authorities remain concerned about instability in the neighboring country. In 2023, there were multiple incidents involving drug smugglers and militants crossing into Tajikistan. On August 6, Tajikistan’s State Committee for National Security (SCNS) reported the killing of three members of the extremist group Ansarullah. The SCNS stated that the individuals had smuggled weapons, ammunition, explosives, and communications equipment into Tajikistan, which were later discovered in caches. Independent verification of the November 18 attack is difficult, but the incident highlights Tajikistan's ongoing vulnerability to threats from Afghanistan.

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Tajik MMA Fighter Chorshanbiev, Imprisoned For Criticizing Authorities, Faces New Charges

In Tajikistan, the well known MMA fighter and prominent blogger Chorshanbe Chorshanbiev, already serving an 8.5-year prison sentence, has been handed an additional four years on new charges. Journalist Anora Sarkorova reported the development on November 18, which was later confirmed by sources at Radio Ozodi. Chorshanbiev, known for criticizing Tajik authorities in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region while residing in Russia, was deported to Tajikistan in December 2021. By May 2022, he was convicted of “public calls for violent change of the constitutional order” and sentenced to 8.5 years in prison. Details of the additional sentence remain unclear, but it is speculated to be related to either violations of prison regulations or involvement in a fight. Recently, Chorshanbiev was transferred from a penal colony in Khujand to a pre-trial detention center in Dushanbe. Chorshanbiev’s legal troubles began in December 2021 when he was deported from Russia for traffic violations. Upon his arrival in Dushanbe, he was arrested, and the Tajik prosecutor's office initiated charges against him, alleging incitement of social and national discord and calls to overthrow the state system. However, during the investigation, the first charge was dropped. His trial garnered significant public attention. Prominent athletes in Russia voiced their support for him, and his defense team argued that the case rested on a single piece of evidence: a video recorded in November 2021. In the video, Chorshanbiev commented on violent clashes in Khorog, during which three people were killed and dozens injured. The prosecution claimed his statements amounted to incitement of protests against the government. A political scientist’s analysis, presented during the trial, characterized Chorshanbiev’s remarks as a call for rebellion. However, his lawyers contested this interpretation and requested a re-evaluation of the video. In court, Chorshanbiev maintained that he had no intention of destabilizing the country. Despite the divided expert opinion, Chorshanbiev was convicted, and his case continues to provoke debate.