The second court hearing regarding the case of eight politicians and public figures, detained since June on charges of “treason” and “seizure of power”, was held in Dushanbe on November 18.  The hearing was held at pretrial detention facility in Dushanbe behind closed doors.

The hearing lasted approximately four hours.  Relatives of the defendants were not allowed to attend the trial, while defense lawyers who arrived at the detention center refused to talk to journalists.

Authorities have not disclosed details of the proceedings, citing the classified nature of the case.

An official source within the Supreme Court told Asia-Plus: “The hearing is taking place in SIZO, the case is classified, and we have no information.”

A source familiar with the situation told Asia-Plus that during Monday’s session, the defendants' statements were heard.

According to available information, four defendants were questioned today: former Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi; former spokesman for the Foreign Minister Abdulfayz Atoi; and two retired colonels of the State Committee for National Security Nouramin Ghanizoda and Jamshed Boyev.  

Senior public figures on the trial in the case also include former parliament speaker Akbarshoh Iskandarov, the ex-leader of the Democratic Party Saidjafar Usmonzoda, Democratic Party of Tajikistan Deputy Chairman Ahmadshoh Komilzoda, and Social Democratic Party Deputy Chairman Shokirjon Hakimov.

Most of defendants have gone on the trial on charges of treason and plotting to forcibly seize power,, while some face charges fraud and inciting hatred. 

It has been reported that most of defendants have rejected the charges.

The third court session is expected to take place on Thursday, November 21, during which other defendants will be questioned.

The trial including former Foreign Minister Hamrohkhon Zarifi, former Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdulfayz Atoi, former parliament speaker Akbarshoh Iskandarov, Democratic Party Chairman Saidjafar Usmonzoda, Democratic Party Deputy Chairman Ahmadshoh Komilzoda, Social Democratic Party Deputy Chairman Shokirjon Hakimov and two retired security colonels Nouramin Ghanizoda and Jamshed Boyev began a the pretrial detention facility in Dushanbe on November 14   

High-profile arrests

The General Prosecutor's Office of Tajikistan arrested Saidjafar Usmonzoda, former chairman of the Democratic Party and a Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) member in June 2024.

During a Majlisi Namoyandagon session on June 14, Prosecutor General Yusuf Rahmon informed MPs that a case had been initiated against Saidjafar Usmonzoda under Article 306, Part 2, Clause “v” of the Criminal Code (“Seizure of Power by Force”).

Since mid-June, several other individuals have been detained in connection with this case. Yusuf Rahmon has confirmed that criminal proceedings have been instituted against Hamrokhon Zarifi, Akbarshoh Iskandarov, Ahmadshoh Komilzoda, and Shokirjon Hakimov.

The Tajik government has cracked down on dissent in recent years, jailing opposition politicians or forcing them into self-exile.  Dozens of independent journalists, activists, and government critics have been sentenced to lengthy jail terms.