The deputy chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
On January 27, news appeared in the Tajik media that during the trial against Mahmurod Odinaev, the prosecutor asked to convict the deputy chairman of the Social Democratic Party for 15 years. The public did not have time to be horrified and think that Odinaev had done such a terrible thing, his lawyer did not have time to share his fears that the case was being considered in a hurry, as the very next day the verdict was passed: 14 years!
Odinaev was found guilty under the articles “hooliganism” and “public calls for extremist activity.”
What provoked the anger of the authorities? Odinaev dared to ask Rakhmonov Jr. to hold a peaceful rally about an unreasonable increase in prices for basic food. The second person of the republic, the son of Emomali Rakhmonov, the mayor of Dushanbe, Rakhmonov Rustam, left Odinaev’s requests unanswered, but after 4 days Odinaev disappeared, and after a while he ended up in the basement of the State Security Committee and now, without being released, received 14 years in prison. And his son Khabibullo Rizoev was fined 8 thousand somoni (more than 5 thousand dollars) for hooliganism. The conflict arose on October 29, 2020 by members of the military enlistment office, who testified against Odinaev and his son, accusing them of violating public order, using foul language and using physical force against a representative of the authorities. Odinaev, in turn, explained that the employees of the military registration and enlistment office exceeded their authority, acted illegally, trying to forcibly send a person who, due to vision problems, is not subject to conscription.
It is obvious to everyone that the case was considered in a hurry, biased, the verdict was passed lightning fast. And it becomes clear that now Rakhmonov has taken up the Social Democratic Party, the only one that is still working in the country, whose members express their opposition opinion very diplomatically. Party leader Rakhmatullo Zoirov is so careful and restrained in his statements that Rakhmonov simply has nothing to catch on with. But Rakhmonov has long wanted to settle accounts with Zoirov. Recall the last presidential election: Zoirov did not run for office, openly stated that the elections in Tajikistan are not fair, and in any case the winner is already known. Such Rakhmonov does not forgive. He needs to create the appearance of justice, denigrate the opposition, need incriminating evidence on Zoirov.
Earlier, Rakhmatullo Zoirov had already been beaten several times by unknowns for outright criticism of the authorities, and Kudratov, a lawyer defending his party members, was jailed for libel.
Now the authorities have detained his deputy Odinaev. It is reliably known that he was persuaded to cooperate, tried to force him to testify against the leader of the Social Democratic Party. So the goal of all this was one: to beautifully destroy Zoirov and his party.
What remains to be done by Rahmatullo Zoirov and his associates? Of course, go to the end, fight injustice and lawlessness. Today, Rakhmonov has no arguments against the Social Democratic Party and its leader, but he has power, and there are crowds of those who are ready to do anything to serve the president. If an experienced lawyer-politician Zoirov begins to defend his party member, then there is a chance of falling into the trap of Rakhmonov. For example, it included those who defended politicians such as Buzurgmehr Yorov. Therefore, now you need to be very careful. We must not remain silent, we must shout at the whole world, what is happening in Tajikistan, turn to international human rights organizations.
We, the political Group of 24, express our indignation at the unjust and clearly politicized sentencing of Mahmourod Odinayev. We express our support to the leader of the Social Democratic Party Rakhmatullo Zairov and all its members.
“There is no justice, but there is God!” said Mahmurod Odinaev after the verdict was announced. We must remember this and go to the end in the fight against blatant lawlessness and tyranny.
Group of 24 political movement
