DUSHANBE, August 13, 2013, Asia-Plus – The Ministry of Culture (MoC) of Tajikistan has sent a letter to Hikmatullo Sayfullozoda, editor of Najot (Salvation), an official newspaper of the Islamic Revival Party (IRP), warning him against violation of the country’s legislation.

The letter, signed by the Minister of Culture Mirzoshorukh Asrori, in particular, notes that they have studied an article entitled “Khorog” that was published in the newspaper on July 25 and came to a conclusion that “by distributing unreliable, unverified, and libelous Sayfullozoda violated two articles of Tajikistan’s law on periodical press and other mass media: Article 6 – abusing freedom of speech; and Article 29 – obligations of a journalist.”

“In this connection, the Ministry of Culture asks you to refrain from publishing unreliable materials.  In case of the recurrence of actions connected with abusing freedom of expression the Ministry will introduce measures within legal boundaries,” the letter says.

Meanwhile, the article published in Najot’s editorial column is a private opinion of the author of events that took place in Khorog, the administrative center of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) last summer.