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More High Profile Detentions in Tajikistan’s Alleged Coup Case

Two more people have been detained in Tajikistan as part of an alleged coup attempt case involving prominent figures in the country, Radio Ozodi has reported, citing an anonymous source. Official agencies have yet to confirm the information, and journalists have yet to be able to procure comments. According to the source, the detainees include former GKNB (State Committee on National Security) officers Nuramin Ganizoda and Jamshed Boyev. Ganizoda, a retired colonel, was formerly an aide to former Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi and worked briefly in Tajikistan's Audit Chamber. Boyev, known only as a retired captain, holds Russian citizenship and receives a pension there. Both were detained in June, shortly after Zarifi's arrest. Saidjafar Usmonzoda, former chairman of the Democratic Party and ex-member of parliament, has been detained in this high-profile case since June. Others involved include Akbarsho Iskandarov, former chairman of Tajikistan’s Supreme Soviet; Ahmadshokh Komilzoda, journalist and deputy chairman of the Democratic Party; Hamrokhon Zarifi; Shokirjon Hakimov, first deputy chairman of the Social Democratic Party; and Abdulfayz Atoi, former spokesperson for the Tajik Foreign Ministry. The detainees face charges of attempted forcible seizure of power and incitement of inter-ethnic hatred. These charges carry significant prison sentences. In August, Prosecutor General Yusuf Rakhmon said several other people were under investigation without revealing their names. The case was initially scheduled to go to the Supreme Court in September, but was returned for further investigation. It has not been possible to contact the detainees or their relatives - the case has been classified, and there are no official comments from the Prosecutor General's Office.

Tajik Opposition Calls for Global Action Against Rahmon Regime’s Human Rights Violations

According to Azda TV, the Tajik opposition movement “Reform and Development of Tajikistan” has appealed to the governments of the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway, and countries of the EU, to support efforts for peaceful and constructive dialogue between the Tajik opposition and President Emomali Rahmon’s government. The movement called the global community to help resolve the crisis in Tajikistan, where Rahmon’s regime targets political opposition, civil society, and independent media. They highlighted human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and the persecution of journalists, activists, and lawyers. Sharofiddin Gadoev, the movement’s leader, called for key goals, such as freeing political prisoners, ending the repression of journalists and activists, ensuring free speech, and having an independent press. He also called for laws in Tajikistan to meet international human rights standards and for free, fair elections involving all political groups. In this regard, the movement “Reform and Development of Tajikistan” called on the international community for “coordinated actions to protect human rights and support democratic processes in Tajikistan, as well as to strengthen political pressure on Emomali Rahmon.” The movement has said: “Tajikistan is a country with a young population. For this generation, the absence of democratic alternatives and opportunities leads to the risk of radicalization. This vacuum of democratic choice can be used by extremist groups, which threatens not only Tajikistan but all of Central Asia. The country may be on the verge of destabilization in the ongoing crisis and the lack of effective reforms. This will create a stream of refugees and strengthen extremist movements, which will become a serious challenge in the field of security.” The movement is calling on the International Criminal Court to investigate Rahmon’s regime of serious crimes like torture and disappearances. They have asked for help before, urging the release of political prisoners and an end to repression, but so far, the Tajik government has ignored these calls, and human rights abuses continue.

Tajikistan Court Issues Harsh Sentences to Opposition Group 24 Leader and Associate

A Dushanbe court has handed down sentences to two opposition activists: Sukhrob Zafar, leader of the banned Group 24 (G24), and his associate Nasimjon Sharifov. Zafar was sentenced to 30 years and Sharifov to 20 years in prison. The verdict was announced on October 10 behind closed doors in the Dushanbe pre-trial detention center, and according to Radio Ozodi sources, it fully complies with the state prosecution's request. Official structures still need to confirm this information. Representatives of G24 say the sentences relate to the charges of “calls for violent change of the constitutional order” spread through the Internet. They consider these accusations unfounded and call the case politically motivated. In their opinion, the trial was conducted under pressure from the authorities and was a manifestation of Emomali Rahmon's government's repressive policy. Both activists previously lived in Turkey, where they were hiding from the Tajik authorities. Suhrob Zafar had been there since 2014 and had received repeated threats. He was detained several times at Tajikistan's request but was soon released. Sharifov had also been living in Turkey since 2015 and was detained three times but released each time. In March 2024, they mysteriously disappeared, and only in August it became known that they were taken to Dushanbe, where an investigation against them began. The trial, according to G24 representatives, was yet another example of human rights violations and political repression. The organization claims that the trial was held under tremendous pressure and calls the authorities' actions an act of suppression of dissent. Supporters believe that the repression of activists continues as part of the anti-opposition policy that the Tajik authorities have been pursuing for years. G24 is an opposition organization founded in 2012 by businessman Umarali Kuwwatov, who left Tajikistan after conflicts with the authorities. The movement opposes President Emomali Rahmon's policies, accusing him of corruption and authoritarianism. In 2014, Tajikistan's Supreme Court declared the organization extremist after calls for protests and banned its activities, including websites and publications. The group's founder was killed in 2015 in Turkey, raising suspicions of involvement by Tajik authorities.

Kazakh journalist Aidos Sadykov died in Kyiv

After 13 days in intensive care following an attack in Kyiv, Kazakh journalist Aidos Sadykov has died. This was confirmed by his wife Natalia Sadkykova on her Facebook page. Sadykov and his wife were authors of the YouTube channel “Base” which has been consistently critical of Kazakhstan’s government, starting with President Nazarbayev’s term and continuing under the new President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. On 18 June, Sadykov was shot next to his wife in a parked car in the Shevchenkovsky district of Kyiv, not far from the house where the couple lives. Aidos was wounded in the head, Natalya was not injured. The office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine named two citizens of Kazakhstan, Altai Zhakanbaev and former Kazakhstan police officer Meiram Karataev (dismissed in January 2019), as suspects in the case. On 19 June, President Tokayev of Kazakhstan said that “the official bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan are ready to join the investigation.” On 21 June, Kazakhstan’s Prosecutor General’s Office released an official statement concerning the attack: "Yesterday, the Prosecutor General of Kazakhstan addressed the Prosecutor General of Ukraine with a proposal to provide all possible assistance in solving this crime, involving the most experienced Kazakhstani investigators. The course of the investigation of the criminal case by the Prosecutor General's Office has been taken under special control." On the same day, Altai Zhakanbaev turned himself in to Kazakhstan authorities, according to the Office. The murder of Sadykov has raised questions about motive. Kazakhstani parliamentary deputy Ermurat Bapi has suggested that the attack was due to “third forces” who want to create a “quarrel between Kazakhstan and some countries”. Sadykova has held President Tokayev responsible for her husband’s death. To date, no evidence has been made public to substantiate these claims.

Aidos Sadykov Shooting: First Suspect Detained by Kazakhstan Authorities

Yesterday, TCA reported that two suspects had been identified by the Ukrainian authorities just three days after after the shooting of Aidos Sadykov, a Kyiv based political blogger. Both are Kazakhstan citizens, 33-year-old Meiram Karataev and 36-year-old Altay Zhakanbaev, whose names have been corroborated by the Prosecutor General of Ukraine’s website. Immediately following the attack, President Tokayev of Kazakhstan said that “the official bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan are ready to join the investigation.” According to the Kazakhstan Office of the General Prosecutor, on June 21, Zhakanbaev independently turned himself in to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where he was questioned on the circumstances of the case. On the same day, he was detained on suspicion of involvement in the crime against Aidos Sadykov. Sadykov and his wife, Natalya Sadykova left Kazakhstan in 2014 following allegations of slander by a Kazakh MP, a charge no longer considered a criminal offense as of 2020. Since 2014, they have resided in Kyiv, where they have received refugee status. From Kyiv, the couple host the YouTube channel @base-kazakh, which, according to their description, “covers events in Kazakhstan and the world and does not depend on the authorities, oligarchs and grants”. Sadykov has criticized the Kazakh authorities in the regional press since 2000 and the YouTube channel has been consistently critical of Kazakhstan’s government, starting with President Nazarbayev’s term and continuing under the new President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Since the war broke out in Ukraine, Sadykov and his wife have claimed that Kazakhstan’s leadership is colluding with the Kremlin. The apparent assassination attempt of Sadykov has raised questions about the motive. Kazakhstan parliamentary deputy, Ermurat Bapi has suggested that the assassination attempt was due to “third forces” that want to create a “quarrel between Kazakhstan and some countries”. Sadykova has accused President Tokayev of ordering the assassination. The detainment of the first suspect by Kazakhstan authorities is a positive development in determining the actual motive behind the attack.

Who is Aidos Sadykov?

The tragic shooting of Kazakh journalist, Aidos Sadykov is suspected to be collateral damage in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the ensuing geopolitical subversions. Aidos Sadykov and his wife Natalya Sadykova host the YouTube channel @base-kazakh, which, according to their description, “covers events in Kazakhstan and the world and does not depend on the authorities, oligarchs and grants”. The couple left Kazakhstan in 2014 following allegations of slander against Sadykova by Kazakh MP Maral Sergazievich Itegulov, a charge no longer considered a criminal offense as of 2020. Since 2014, they have resided in Kyiv, where they have received refugee status. Sadykov has criticized the Kazakh authorities in the regional press since 2000. Also a former chair of the Aktobe NSDP Party Azat branch, Aidos Sadykov was imprisoned for hooliganism in 2010, but was released early under amnesty. He later founded the "Gastat" opposition movement after leaving the NSDP and establishing an independent trade union at CNPS-Aktobemunaigas, a local oil and gas enterprise. He is associated with another outspoken controversial figure, Mukhtar Ablyazov, who has sought political asylum in France. Ablyazov faced murder charges in Kazakhstan following the death of a bank CEO – the same bank that Ablyazov later took over and reportedly defrauded. He now faces judgements against him exceeding $5 billion in UK and U.S. courts related to laundering stolen funds. Sadykova worked for the newspaper Respublika, which was allegedly funded by Ablyazov. The apparent assassination attempt of Sadykov has raised questions about motive. Kazakhstan parliamentary deputy, Ermurat Bapi has suggested that the assassination attempt was due to “third forces” that want to create a “quarrel between Kazakhstan and some countries”. Sadykova has accused President Tokayev of ordering the assassination. The couple’s YouTube channel has been consistently critical of Kazakhstan’s government, starting with President Nazarbayev’s term and continuing under new President Tokayev. Since the war broke out in Ukraine, Sadykov and his wife have claimed that Kazakhstan’s leadership is colluding with the Kremlin. According to The Guardian, Sadykov is a “prominent blogger with more than 1 million subscribers on YouTube.” While the YouTube channel does in fact show 1.01 million followers, Washington University’s public tool demonstrates that at least 88% of these are dead accounts (meaning they show no activity), according to an analysis conducted three days after the attack on Sadykov. On June 20, the Prosecutor General of Kazakhstan announced that they had reached out to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and offered their full assistance in solving the crime by involving highly-skilled investigators from Kazakhstan.