DUSHANBE, May 11, Asia-Plus -- “The Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) assesses actions of the country’s law enforcement agencies as a gross violation of human rights and demands that the Prosecutor-General’s Office should thoroughly investigate into an incident in Isfara,” a statement by the IRPT leadership with regard of the death of Sadullo Marupov, the party’s activist in Isfara, says.  

“A special team comprising officers from the Interior Ministry acting on the territory of the Sughd province has illegally detained many members of the party over the past two years,” the statement says, noting that the tragedy having occurred in Isfara testifies once again to illegality of actions of the special group and causes the IRPT distrust in the country’s power-wielding structures.  

“Such cases may cause destabilization in society and undermine Tajikistan ’s image on international arena,” the IRPT leadership’s statement points.  

As it had been reported earlier, the IRPT activist in the northern district of Isfara Sadullo Marupov was arrested on May 3 and taken for questioning to the police directorate.  He died on May 4, one day after being arrested, and the circumstances of the Marupov’s death remain unclear. 

Tajik police officials claim that Marupov died after falling from the third floor of the police directorate’s building, but say they cannot confirm murder. 

However, the Islamic Revival Party does not accept that Marupov killed himself by jumping from the third floor of the police directorate’s building.  Senior representatives from the IRPT say Marupov’s religious beliefs would have prevented him from committing suicide, and they believe that the law enforcement officers were involved in the death of the party activist.  Three officers from the Sughd police department have been taken into custody over the Marupov’s death.  An investigation is under way.