Tajikstan: Supreme Court Upholds Sentences in High-Profile “Coup” Case

The Supreme Court of Tajikistan has upheld the verdicts in the high-profile case concerning an alleged coup attempt, leaving the sentences unchanged, Orda reports, citing Asia-Plus.

According to sources cited by the outlet, the court reviewed the defendants' cassation appeals but ultimately ruled to leave the original sentences in force.

The hearings took place over the past two days behind closed doors at a pre-trial detention center in Dushanbe.

Those found guilty:

• Khamrokhon Zarifi, former Foreign Minister – 27 years in prison with property confiscation
  
• Saidjaffar Usmonzoda, former Democratic Party chair and ex-MP – 27 years with confiscation
  
• Jamshed Boboyev, retired security services colonel – 21 years
  
• Ahmadsho Komilzoda, journalist and former deputy chair of the Democratic Party – 19 years
  
• Akbarsho Iskandarov, former chair of the Supreme Council – 18 years with partial property confiscation
  
• Shokirjon Hakimov, lawyer and first deputy chair of the Social Democratic Party – 18 years
  
• Nurahmad Ganizoda, retired security services colonel – 18 years
  
• Abdulfayz Atoi, former department head at the Foreign Ministry – 17 years
  
• Rukhshona Hakimova, journalist and niece of Shokirjon Hakimov – 8 years

Most of the defendants were charged with treason and attempting to seize power, though lawyers and relatives maintain that the accused did not admit guilt.

The cassation appeals were filed on February 20.