Lawyers representing all those convicted in the Tajikistan coup attempt case have filed cassation appeals requesting a review of the verdict. This was reported by Asia-Plus, citing representatives of the country’s Supreme Court.
The verdict, which imposed lengthy prison sentences on the defendants, was delivered on February 5. According to Supreme Court officials, the first appeal was filed just three days later. The remaining defendants also challenged the verdict shortly after. All defense attorneys submitted the necessary documentation by February 17, meeting the legally mandated deadline, the court added.
Journalists from Asia-Plus noted that lawyers and relatives of at least three convicts confirmed filing appeals with a higher court to seek changes to the initial ruling. In particular, the lawyer representing journalist Rukhshona Hakimova, who was sentenced to eight years in prison, petitioned for her release based on Article 71 of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code, which allows for a suspended sentence.
It remains unclear how long the review of the cassation appeals will take.
The trial for the coup attempt concluded on February 5 at the Dushanbe pre-trial detention center. The longest sentences—27 years in prison—were handed down to former Foreign Minister Khamrokhon Zarifi and ex-chairman of the Democratic Party Saidjaffar Usmonzoda. Jamshed Boboyev, a retired colonel from the State Committee for National Security, was sentenced to 21 years, while former Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party Ahmadshoh Kamilzoda received 19 years.
The court sentenced former Supreme Court chairman Akbarshoh Iskandarov, Deputy Chairman of the Social Democratic Party Shokirdjon Hakimov, and retired KGB colonel Nurakhmad Ganizoda to 18 years in prison each.
Most of the defendants were found guilty of treason and violent seizure of power.
