DUSHANBE, May 21, 2013, Asia-Plus  -- The Islamic Revival Party (IRP) Political Council met in Dushanbe yesterday to discuss the current political situation in the country in connection with the upcoming presidential election that will take place in Tajikistan in November this year.

A statement released by the IRP Political Council notes that “the situation is quite a sensitive.”

The statement says the growing pressure by the authorities against politicians, political parties, civil society and media following fabricated accusations evokes serious concern.

The IRP Political Council notes that detention of the head of the initiative group for formation of a “New Tajikistan” party, Zayd Saidov, is politically motivated.

Why the authorities had not responded to the allegations in the time when Zayd Saidov had been minister of industry, the statement says.

According to the statement, political persecutions started after Zayd Saidov declared the intention to create a political party.