DUSHANBE, March 13, Asia-Plus -- Tajik authorities will not second proposal by Hoji Akbar Turajonzoda to grant full amnesty to former militants and leaders of the Tajik United Opposition (UTO), Shokirjon Hakimov, deputy leader of the Social-Democratic Party (SDPT), said in an interview with Asia-Plus.  

According to him, a statement by Turajonzoda has “a grain of rationalism.”  “This year, Tajikistan will mark the 10th anniversary of signing of the General Peace Agreement and it would be logical and reasonable move,” said Hakimov, “Besides, this move would considerably raise reputation of the country’s political leadership.”  

At the same time, the SDPT deputy leader notes that not all persons, whom Turajonzoda proposes to amnesty, will give up the active political struggle.  “First of all, it concerns those, who have great political ambitions,” Hakimov stressed, noting that it is the factor of no small importance. 

Hakimov noted that neither the president nor subjects of the country’s judicial system will second Turajonzoda’s proposal.  He attributes the authorities’ reluctance to grant full amnesty to the former UTO leader to concerns about emergence of real political force in the country.  “Amnestied persons will be able to strengthen their positions in the political system of society and will form a real competition in the future elections,” the SDPT deputy head said.