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Parents of Imprisoned Tajik Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova Urge Rahmon to Intervene

The parents of Rukhshona Khakimova, a Tajik journalist sentenced in February 2025 to eight years in prison on charges of treason, have issued an open letter to President Emomali Rahmon, urging him to reconsider their daughter’s case and facilitate her release. Family Appeals for Clemency A copy of the letter, signed by Khakimova’s parents, Zokir Khakimov and Makhsuda Sharopova, was published on social media on May 3. In the letter, the couple described their daughter’s upbringing in a family of educators committed to national values, patriotism, and humanism. Khakimov, a former school director in Kanibadam, and Sharopova, a retired teacher, emphasized their daughter’s achievements. “Our daughter graduated from school and university with honors, received a presidential scholarship, and always worked honestly and within the law,” they wrote. “We can say with complete confidence that Rukhshona could not have committed treason.” They appealed to Rahmon to intervene, especially considering that Khakimova is the mother of two young children. “We respectfully request and implore you, as the supreme leader of the nation, to take steps for her release,” the letter states. Background on the Charges Khakimova, 31, was convicted under Article 305, Part 2, Paragraph “c” of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code, “treason using her official position.” She was sentenced to eight years in prison following a closed trial. Human rights groups claim the charges were linked to her journalistic investigation into China’s influence in Tajikistan. Complicating the case is the fact that Khakimova is reportedly the niece of an opposition figure sentenced to 18 years for attempting a coup. Prior to her arrest, she had been placed under house arrest, her documents were confiscated, and on February 5, she was detained in the courtroom immediately following the verdict. An appellate court upheld the decision. Subsequently, about 230,000 somoni, savings intended for purchasing a home, were withdrawn from her bank account. On April 22, she was transferred from a pre-trial detention center in Dushanbe to a women’s correctional facility in Nurek. Public and International Reaction Khakimova’s sentencing has sparked condemnation both domestically and abroad. Journalists and human rights advocates described the case as emblematic of worsening conditions for press freedom in Tajikistan. Activists claim she faced repeated threats prior to her arrest. Earlier this year, a group of women and civil society activists also submitted a letter to Rahmon requesting leniency. International organizations including Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders, and The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders have called for her immediate release. Despite multiple appeals, Tajik authorities have yet to respond, and the sentence remains in effect.

Justice Uzbek government Bursel Tekstil Arbitration case

Uzbekistan Wins Arbitration Case Against Turkish Textile Company

On October 10, 2024, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) announced its decision in the case between Turkish company Bursel Tekstil Sanayi ve Dış Ticaret A.Ş. and Uzbekistan. According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Justice, the tribunal rejected all claims made by Bursel Tekstil. The dispute began in July 2017, when Bursel Tekstil accused the Uzbek government of breaching promises related to cotton pricing and tax policies, actions the company claimed had led to its bankruptcy. Bursel Tekstil sought approximately $700 million in compensation. However, the tribunal ruled in favor of Uzbekistan and ordered Bursel Tekstil to cover the country's legal costs. Bursel Tekstil had invested in Uzbekistan’s textile industry in the early 2000s, helping to build a textile plant in Tashkent with funding from the OPEC Fund for International Development and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. By 2011, the company operated three factories in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan was represented in the arbitration by the Ministry of Justice and the American law firm White & Case. Under ICSID rules, the tribunal’s decision is final and binding. Previously, The Times of Central Asia reported on another ICSID decision in May 2024, ordering the return of four resorts in Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan. In that case, Uzbekistan successfully argued that Kyrgyzstan had violated a 1992 agreement among former Soviet Union countries, which stipulates that property belonging to one country but located on the territory of another remains the property of the original owner.

Human rights Worldwide Lawyers Association (WOLAS) uzbek officials death sentence Murder UAE Justice

Lawyers Challenge Death Sentences of Uzbeks Convicted of UAE Rabbi Murder

Three Uzbek citizens sentenced to death in the United Arab Emirates are at the center of growing international concern over the fairness of their trial and the potential political influences behind the case. On March 30, the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal handed down death sentences to Olimboy Tohirovich (29), Mahmudjon Abdurahim (29), and Azizbek Komilovich (34), after convicting them of the murder of Zvi Kogan, an Israeli-Moldovan dual national whose body was discovered in the Emirati city of Al Ain in November 2024. A fourth individual received a life sentence for aiding the accused. UAE authorities have linked the case to terrorism. Following the verdict, the Worldwide Lawyers Association (WOLAS), established by lawyers and academics working in Turkiye with the aim of conducting activities in the international arena, raised alarm about potential violations of international legal standards. In a statement, WOLAS cited possible political pressure, opaque legal proceedings, and concerns that confessions may have been obtained under duress. WOLAS has sent formal appeals to the governments of the UAE and Uzbekistan, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and several UN Special Rapporteurs, including those on extrajudicial executions and torture. The group’s demands include: A comprehensive, impartial review of the case Commutation of the death sentences Assurance of fair trial standards, including access to legal counsel and medical care An independent investigation into allegations of torture The group also urged Uzbekistan to take more robust measures in defending the rights of its nationals abroad. Their recommendations include enhanced consular engagement, legal aid, and proactive diplomatic efforts to mitigate harsh sentences and prevent future incidents. Under UAE law, all death sentences must be reviewed by the Federal Supreme Court and require final approval from the country’s president, providing a potential avenue for clemency or sentence reduction. Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to Kun.uz that it is closely monitoring the case. Ministry spokesperson Akhror Burhonov stated that consular support, legal assistance, and discussions with UAE authorities are ongoing. He emphasized that protecting the rights of Uzbek citizens abroad remains a top government priority. Israeli media have reported that Mossad suspects links between the convicted men and an Iranian organization, though no conclusive evidence has been made public. While WOLAS is not directly representing the defendants, it asserts its role as an international legal watchdog advocating for due process and human rights. The organization has asked the UN to conduct an inquiry, delay any execution until all legal reviews are exhausted, and document the case in upcoming reports on global human rights issues.

Justice Former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev

Kyrgyzstan’s Ex-President Kurmanbek Bakiyev May Return to the Country

Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the former president of Kyrgyzstan currently living in exile in Belarus, is seeking a review of his convictions handed down in absentia. His lawyer, Ikramidin Aitkulov, recently told local media that Bakiyev wishes to challenge the court’s decisions and possibly return to Kyrgyzstan to participate in legal proceedings personally. According to Aitkulov, Kyrgyzstan’s Criminal Procedure Code does not provide clear regulation for trials conducted in absentia. This legal ambiguity, he argues, results in inconsistent interpretations and infringes upon a citizen’s right to a fair trial. He has appealed to the Constitutional Court to examine the relevant provisions of the procedural code. Aitkulov emphasized that, although thousands of individuals are currently wanted by Kyrgyz authorities, relatively few are actually tried in absentia, making Bakiyev’s case unusual. Background of Bakiyev's Convictions In 2016, Kurmanbek Bakiyev was sentenced to 30 years in prison for complicity in the mass killings of April 7, 2010, when security forces opened fire on protesters in central Bishkek. His brother, Jenish Bakiyev, then head of the State Guard Service, was also found guilty in connection with the events. In 2023, Bakiyev received an additional 10-year sentence for corruption related to the Kumtor gold mining enterprise. According to his lawyer, if these two convictions are overturned, Bakiyev could return to Kyrgyzstan and be physically present for any retrial. “We need to file for a review of the cases in the Supreme Court. If the decisions taken in absentia are canceled, then he (Kurmanbek Bakiyev) will personally participate in the consideration of his case in the second court instance,” Aitkulov said. Constitutional Court Responds In response to Aitkulov’s appeal, the Constitutional Court of Kyrgyzstan stated that trying Bakiyev in absentia was legally permissible, given that he had deliberately evaded justice by fleeing the country. Attempts by Kyrgyz law enforcement agencies to extradite him had failed. “The conduct of court proceedings in absentia is not an arbitrary aspect of the criminal process, but rather an exceptional measure to safeguard public interest and ensure the inevitability of punishment,” the Constitutional Court stated. However, the court also clarified that any individual convicted in absentia has the right to a case review upon return to Kyrgyzstan, provided they are physically present during the proceedings. If Bakiyev voluntarily returns, he would still be detained but granted the opportunity to appeal his convictions.

Kazakhstan Denies Rumors About Ratification of the Rome Statute

Kazakhstan’s General Prosecutor's Office has denied rumors that the country intends to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Kazinform reports. Speculation about a possible ratification circulated on Kazakhstani Telegram channels earlier this week. However, in response to an official inquiry, the General Prosecutor's Office stated that “no work on ratification of the said international document is underway.” The Rome Statute, adopted on July 17, 1998, is an international treaty that establishes the legal framework, jurisdiction, and operational structure of the ICC. The ICC, founded in 2002 under the Rome Statute, is the first permanent international judicial body dedicated to prosecuting individuals responsible for the most serious crimes affecting global peace and security.

Opposition Local politics Court Cases Justice

Tajikistan’s Supreme Court Breaks Silence on Alleged Coup Case

For the first time, Tajikistan’s Supreme Court has publicly commented on a high-profile case involving leading politicians accused of high treason and attempting to seize power by force. Shavkat Lutfullozoda, first deputy chairman of the Supreme Court, told a press conference on February 13 that “the case materials contain circumstances indicating that their actions were directly aimed at high treason and the violent seizure of power.” However, he declined to disclose further details, citing the closed nature of the trial. The proceedings were held behind closed doors, but Lutfullozoda stated that they took place “with the participation of the judge and people's assessors.” The following individuals were convicted and sentenced on February 5, 2025, at the Dushanbe Detention Center. The verdicts take effect on February 15: Hamrohon Zarifi, former foreign minister: 27 years in prison and a 10,000 somoni fine on five counts, including high treason and the forcible seizure of power. Saidjafar Usmonzoda, former head of the Democratic Party: 27 years for high treason and inciting discord. Jamshed Boboyev, retired GKNB colonel: 21 years for high treason and forcible seizure of power. Akhmadshokh Komilzoda, former deputy chairman of the Democratic Party: 19 years for attempted violent seizure of power. Akbarshokh Iskandarov, former head of the Supreme Soviet: 18 years on similar charges. Shokirjon Khakimov, lawyer and first deputy chairman of the Social Democratic Party: 18 years for inciting discord and high treason. Nurahmad Ganizoda, retired GKNB colonel: 18 years for violent seizure of power. Abdulfayiz Atoi, former head of the Foreign Ministry’s press service: 17 years for forcible seizure of power and document forgery. Rukhshona Khakimova, journalist: 8 years for complicity in state treason. Mass arrests began in June 2024, following the detention of Saidjafar Usmonzoda. Authorities soon arrested Zarifi, Iskandarov, Komilzoda, Khakimov, Atoi, Ganizoda, and Boboyev. Prosecutor General Yusuf Rakhmon stated that most of the detainees were linked to Usmonzoda’s case. Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova initially remained at large due to having a young child. However, she was arrested after the verdict was handed down. The first court hearing took place on November 14, 2024, and the trial lasted more than six months, held behind closed doors at a pre-trial detention center.