Legal System - The Times Of Central Asia

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Legal System

Why Tajikistan’s Courts Rarely Hand Down Acquittals

The issue of extremely rare acquittals in Tajikistan has once again become the focus of public debate following a statement by the chairman of the Supreme Court. The authorities explain these statistics by pointing to the high quality of investigative and judicial work, while lawyers cite systemic problems related to objectivity and respect for human rights. Supreme Court Chairman Rustam Mirzozoda said at a press conference that the absence of acquittals reflects compliance with the law and the professional performance of law enforcement agencies. According to him, each criminal case is examined in strict accordance with the requirements of the Criminal Procedure Code, and courts do not issue acquittals because the defendants’ actions are determined to constitute a crime. In 2025, city and district courts referred 16 criminal cases involving 21 individuals for further investigation, but all of the defendants were subsequently convicted. By comparison, in previous years acquittals were handed down, albeit extremely rarely: three cases in 2023, 11 in 2021, and two in 2020. Even then, they accounted for less than 1% of the total number of decisions. Part of the legal community views the absence of acquittals as an alarming signal. Lawyer Navruz Odinaev notes that in developed legal systems, acquittals are a normal part of the criminal process. In his view, the lack of acquittals requires serious analysis, as it affects the fundamental principles of justice, fairness, judicial independence, and the presumption of innocence. Lawyer Uguloy Bobova highlights another aspect, the potential reputational consequences for law enforcement agencies. An acquittal means that a person’s freedom was unlawfully restricted and therefore that investigative authorities made an error. In addition, an acquittal entails full rehabilitation and entitles the individual to compensation, creating additional legal and reputational risks for the state. Statistics show that the proportion of acquittals in Tajikistan has remained below 1% in recent years. In international practice, such a low figure is often regarded as an indicator of a possible bias toward conviction in criminal proceedings.

Legal Technology

Dushanbe Teen Develops Tajikistan’s First AI Legal Assistant

Tajikistan has launched its first AI-powered legal assistant, designed to simplify access to legal information by explaining laws in plain language. The project, called Moni, was developed by 15-year-old Foteh Azizov, a tenth-grade student at School No. 6 in Dushanbe. Already, the platform is being used not only by the general public but also by practicing lawyers. Azizov said the idea for Moni came from his own experience. While helping with content and promotion at his uncle’s law firm, he noticed how difficult it was for ordinary people and even himself, to understand the complex language used in legal documents. “Laws are often written in a complicated style, full of terminology,” Azizov explained. “That’s when I came up with the idea of creating a tool that explains the law in simple and accessible language for everyone.” He pitched the idea to his uncle, who supported the initiative and helped organize the project. “My motivation only grew, I wanted to build something that could really help people,” Azizov said. He taught himself the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, working through trial and error to create a functional prototype. A professional programmer later joined the team, assisting with website development and refining the platform’s features. Since its launch, Moni has proven useful not just to citizens but also to legal professionals, who use it as a convenient reference tool. The service is a free AI assistant specializing in Tajik law. It helps users locate relevant articles across a wide range of legal areas, including tax, land, labor, civil, and administrative law. Moni supports queries in multiple languages, including Tajik, Russian, English, and Kazakh. All inquiries are anonymous, and the platform does not collect any personal data. Its responses are based solely on publicly available legal documents. The most frequently asked questions revolve around taxes, business regulations, employment law, civil rights, and administrative violations. Looking ahead, Azizov says the team has many ideas for improving the platform, but their immediate goal is to continue developing the current product. “Our aim is to remain a free, user-friendly resource and become an indispensable legal advisor for everyone,” he said.

law

New Kyrgyz Investment Zone to Operate Under English Law

On March 17, Kyrgyzstan's president Sadyr Japarov signed a decree titled "On Measures to Establish a Special Investment Territory with a Special Legal Regime in the Issyk-Kul Region and an Independent International Center for Dispute Resolution Using English Law". Boosting Investment Appeal The initiative aims to enhance Kyrgyzstan’s attractiveness to foreign investors by providing a more predictable and internationally recognized legal framework for business operations. The decree directs the Cabinet of Ministers to take the necessary steps for implementation, including the potential involvement of international consultants and legal experts in the development of the special investment zone and dispute resolution center. Adopting English Common Law for Dispute Resolution On March 11, Adylbek Kasymaliyev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, met with British Ambassador Nicholas Bowler and a group of international legal consultants to discuss adopting English common law principles for handling investment disputes in Kyrgyzstan. English common law, which is based on judicial precedents rather than codified statutes, is widely used in international commerce and financial centers such as London, Dubai, and Singapore. Supporters argue that its introduction in Kyrgyzstan could increase investor confidence by offering a more stable and predictable legal environment. Legal Experts Express Skepticism Despite the government’s enthusiasm, some legal experts remain skeptical about the feasibility of incorporating English common law elements into Kyrgyzstan’s legal system. Critics point to potential challenges, including compatibility with existing Kyrgyz laws, the need for specialized legal training, and whether the judiciary can effectively apply a mixed legal framework. The establishment of a special investment territory in Issyk-Kul and an independent dispute resolution center represents a bold step toward legal modernization in Kyrgyzstan. While the adoption of English common law principles could improve investor confidence, the success of the initiative will depend on effective implementation, legal harmonization, and investor reception.