“Committee to Protect Journalists” demands release of Tajik journalist
The Tajik authorities should immediately release the journalist Daler Sharipov, remove all charges from him and allow him to work freely. This statement was made by the international organization “Committee to Protect Journalists”.
Recall, journalist Daler Sharipov was called to a meeting at the State Committee for National Security on January 28, but never 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.
On January 30, Sharipov was charged under the article 189 part 1 (incitement to national, racial and religious strife) and placed in a pre-trial detention center for 2 months. He faces up to 5 years in prison.
“The Tajik authorities must immediately drop the absurd charges against the independent journalist Daler Sharipov, release him from custody and allow him to continue his reporting,” said Gulnosa Said, CPJ program coordinator for Europe and Central Asia. “Tajik officials have already expelled almost all independent journalists from the country, so this prosecution is a clear attempt to silence one of the few remaining critics on the eve of the election.”
Earlier, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Press, Harlem Desir, in a letter to the Tajik government called for the immediate release of journalist Daler Sharipov. “The press should be able to investigate and publish material without fear,” Desir said.
At the same time, the Tajik civil and journalistic community supported the arrested journalist, demanding the release of Daler Sharipov. The statement, signed by 8 non-governmental organizations and dozens of journalists and lawyers, provides article 30 of the Constitution of Tajikistan, which guarantees freedom of speech and press, and prohibits state censorship and prosecution for criticism. Thus, journalists and civic activists believe that the arrest of Daler Sharipov is related to his journalistic activities. They called on the authorities to change the preventive measure to non-custodial, conduct an effective investigation with strict observance of all guarantees of freedom of expression in accordance with international standards, and expressed the hope that the rule of law and access to justice will be rigorously ensured during the investigation of Daler Sharipov’s case.
