DUSHANBE, February 26, 2013, Asia-Plus -- A popular television channel in Tajikistan''s capital has gone off the air after broadcasting an interview with a prominent dissident poet, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reported on February 26.

On the evening of February 24, the Poytaht (The Capital) public television channel showed an interview with Gulrukhsor Safiyeva, who is known for her verses criticizing the Tajik government.

The channel has been unavailable since the morning of February 25.

Poytaht is controlled by the Dushanbe city administration.

Officials at Tajikistan''s State Television and Radio Corporation told RFE/RL that the channel stopped broadcasting because of technical problems with transmission equipment.