Tajikistan sentences former FM to prison for coup attempt

Tajikistan's Supreme Court has sentenced former Foreign Minister Hamrohkhon Zarifi and several other political figures, accused of attempting a coup, to prison terms ranging from 18 to 27 years.

Zarifi was sentenced to 27 years in prison, along with former MP and leader of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan, Saidjaffar Usmonzoda, who also received a 27-year sentence, Caliber.Az reports via Tajik media.  

Ahmadshoh Komilzoda, former deputy chairman of the Democratic Party and journalist, was sentenced to 18 years, as was Shakirjon Hakimov, deputy chairman of the Social Democratic Party and a lawyer. 

Authorities have not provided official information regarding the case, and the court has classified the proceedings, so all available details are coming from unofficial sources.

The arrests of prominent Tajik political figures began in June 2024, following the detention of Saidjaffar Usmonzoda. 

Over the next few months, at least seven more individuals were arrested. At the January 8 hearing, the prosecution requested prison sentences ranging from 23 to 30 years for all those involved in the coup attempt case.

By Naila Huseynova