Illustration: khovar.tj
Tajikistan’s Supreme Court, after reviewing the appeals of those involved in the attempted coup case, upheld the previously issued sentences. This was reported by Asia-Plus, citing participants in the proceedings and relatives of the convicted individuals.
According to the publication, the hearings on the cassation appeals were held on April 1 and 2 behind closed doors in the pre-trial detention center in Dushanbe. The first session lasted three hours before the judge postponed the process until the next day. On Wednesday, April 2, the court again considered the appeals of the politicians who had received long prison sentences for attempting to forcibly seize power. Ultimately, the Supreme Court decided to reject the defendants' appeals, as confirmed by their lawyers.
One of the lawyers added that all the convicted individuals and their defense teams were given the opportunity to speak and present their arguments. They requested a review of the first-instance verdict, but the Supreme Court left the sentences unchanged.
A relative of one of the detainees confirmed the Supreme Court’s decision, saying that while they did not expect the prisoners to be released, they had hoped for a reduction in their sentences.
“Now, if they survive, they will be released at the age of 90 or 100,” the relative lamented in an interview with Asia-Plus.
The trial related to the coup attempt, where the verdict was announced, took place on February 5 at the Dushanbe detention center. The longest sentence, 27 years in prison, was handed down to former Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Khomrokhon Zarifi and former leader of the Democratic Party, Saidjafar Usmonzoda. Retired Colonel of the State Security Committee of the Republic, Jamshid Boboev, was sentenced to 21 years in prison, while former deputy head of the Democratic Party, Ahmadshoh Kamilzoda, received a 19-year sentence. Ex-Chief Justice Akbarshoh Iskandarov, Deputy Chairman of the Social Democratic Party Shokirdjon Khakimov, and retired Colonel of the KGB Nurakhmad Ganizoda were sentenced to 18 years in prison. Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova received an 8-year prison sentence.
It was noted that most of the defendants were convicted on charges of treason and attempted forcible seizure of power.
Several days after the verdict was announced, the first cassation appeal was submitted to the Supreme Court. Subsequently, the remaining defendants filed their appeals. All the lawyers submitted documents by February 17, adhering to the legally allotted deadlines.
