DUSHANBE, October 27, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- Mahmadyusuf Ismoilov, a regional reporter for the Dushanbe-based independent weekly Nouri Zindagi (Light of Life), and his defense lawyer have appealed the Khujand court’s verdict.

“In terms of jurisprudence, the sentence passed on Mahmadyusuf Ismoilov may be called fair; we, however, cannot agree with it because no evidence has been produced to support charges brought against the reporter,” Ismoilov’s defense lawyer, Muhabbat Jouryaeva, told Asia-Plus in an interview.

“The court must review the verdict against Ismoilov.  A fine in the amount of 35,000 somoni imposed upon him is unrealistic because his pension’s rate is only 52.00 somoni per month,” said the lawyer, “If the court drops the charge of “regional hatred,” Ismoilov may benefit amnesty.”

We will recall that Mahmadyusuf Ismoilov was arrested last November on separate counts of defamation, insult, and incitement to hatred over an article titled, “Asht Is Being Destroyed.  Who Is Responsible for It?”  In the article, published in the August 2010 issue of Nouri Zindagi , Ismoilov criticized government and law enforcement officials in the Asht district in the northern Sughd province of Tajikistan, and cited corruption, abuse of office, and mismanagement of funds.

Ismoilov who was facing 16 years imprisonment on charges related to his professional activities was released on October 14.  The Khujand court, however, barred Mahmadyusuf Ismoilov from journalistic work for three years, and ordered him to pay the equivalent of $7,100 for causing moral damages.