Another journalist was arrested in Tajikistan

The journalist Daler Sharipov, known in Tajikistan for his critical materials, is accused of inciting national, racial, parochial or religious animosity.

The journalist was called to a meeting at the State Committee for National Security on January 28, but hasn’t returned home. His parents were informed that he was being detained and interrogated. At the same time, a search was carried out in the journalist’s house and several books were seized.

The Independent Center for Human Rights provided the journalist with a lawyer, but he was not allowed to see his client. On January 30, Sharipov was charged under article 189 part 1 and placed in a pre-trial detention center for 2 months. He faces up to 5 years in prison.

The National Association of Independent Media of Tajikistan issued a statement expressing its disagreement with the actions of law enforcement agencies. In particular, it is noted that the journalist did not have access to a lawyer. “We demand that the investigating authorities respect the rule of law,” the statement said.

Recall that in 2018, the journalist Khairullo Mirsaidov was charged under the same article, but the investigation failed to prove his guilt, and the charge under article 189 was dropped.