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.