The former foreign minister of Tajikistan was sentenced to 27 years

^{Photo: Wikimedia}
The Supreme Court of Tajikistan has handed down a verdict in the "attempted coup d'état" case. The defendants, including former Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi, were sentenced to 18 to 27 years in prison, Asia-Plus reported.

The longest sentence, 27 years, was handed down to former Minister Zarifi, as well as to former deputy of parliament and chairman of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan Saidjafar Usmonzoda. The court sentenced former deputy chairman of the Democratic Party, journalist Ahmadshok Komilzoda to 18 years in prison, deputy chairman of the Social Democratic Party, lawyer Shokirjon Khakimov to 18 years, and journalist and Shokirjon Khakimov's niece Rukhshona Khakimov to 8 years in prison.

The arrests of officials in Tajikistan in this case began in June 2024. Officials have not provided information on the investigation, and the trials were held behind closed doors.

It is noted that most of the defendants were charged with "high treason" and "usurpation of power", some with "fraud", "inciting national, racial, local or religious hatred". The defendants have not admitted their guilt and have asked the court to acquit them.

76-year-old Hamrokhon Zarifiy served as Tajikistan's Foreign Minister from 2006 to 2013. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!