On October 10, 2024, behind closed doors at Detention Center No. 1 in Dushanbe, the trial of Suhrob Zafar, the leader of the political movement “Group 24,” and Nasimjon Sharifov, a member of the same movement, took place. As a result of the court’s decision, Suhrob Zafar was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with the first 10 years to be served under a strict regime. Meanwhile, Nasimjon Sharifov was sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment.
This trial was conducted in an entirely closed environment, under significant psychological and political pressure. Throughout the proceedings, their fundamental rights, including the right to a fair and transparent trial, were blatantly disregarded. Furthermore, their families were not permitted to attend the trial, an overt violation of both domestic and international legal norms.
According to sources close to the case, this trial was the direct result of political repression, aimed at silencing dissenting voices within Tajikistan. Ubaidullo Said, a prominent human rights activist, stated that the trial exemplifies widespread human rights violations and the absence of justice within Tajikistan’s judicial system. He emphasized that the primary issue lies in the illegal manner in which these two individuals were abducted and transferred from Turkey to Tajikistan. According to him, such acts of abduction and forced extradition starkly contravene global justice principles and international legal standards.
It is worth recalling that Suhrob Zafar and Nasimjon Sharifov disappeared in February and March 2024 while in Turkey. Two months later, it was revealed that they were being detained in Tajikistan. Initially, the Tajik authorities did not disclose official charges against them. However, earlier government statements in state media indicated that the two were accused of “calling for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order via the Internet.”
Tajikistan’s judiciary, which operates under significant political influence, imposed these lengthy prison sentences in complete disregard of fundamental justice principles. As such, the court’s decisions were politically motivated, primarily aimed at suppressing opposition.
During his final remarks in court, Suhrob Zafar declared that he had no regrets about his chosen path. He firmly stated that he had committed no illegal or inhumane acts, nor had he engaged in any activities that could justify such accusations. He further asserted, “I have never betrayed my people or my nation.”
Sources familiar with the case noted that, despite the harsh legal conditions and the intense pressure surrounding the trial, Suhrob Zafar and Nasimjon Sharifov remained resolute and steadfast in their convictions. If the unjust verdicts are upheld, they intend to file appeals to higher courts within the next week.
The sentencing of Suhrob Zafar and Nasimjon Sharifov highlights, yet again, the extent to which Tajikistan’s judicial system operates under political pressure, systematically violating fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial.
We, representatives of the international community and human rights advocates, strongly condemn these unjust actions and demand the following:
- The immediate release of Suhrob Zafar and Nasimjon Sharifov.
- The guarantee of their right to a fair trial, as enshrined in international legal frameworks.
- A thorough investigation into the illegal extradition of citizens from foreign countries, ensuring such practices are halted.
This case is not merely an isolated incident but rather a stark representation of the dire state of human rights in Tajikistan. The international community must take this matter seriously and implement concrete measures to restore justice.
With respect,
The Tajik Youth for the Revival of Tajikistan
