Hot News 2005

June 3

The NANSMIT sent a petition protesting against the arrest of journalist Djumaboi Tolibov

On June 3, 2005, the National Association of Independent Mass Media of Tajikistan (NANSMIT) sent a petition to Kalandarov, Soghdy Regional Prosecutor, protesting against the arrest of Djumaboi Tolibov, a member of the Confederation of Journalists’ Unions and head of Hukumat’s Legal Department (Administration) in Aininsk district.

The journalist Djumaboi Tolibov was arrested by officers of the Interior Department under Firdavsi District Hukumat, in Dushanbe, under the order of Aininsk District Prosecutor Azamov, Soghdy region, on April 24. Then he was taken to an isolation ward of the same district.  

 “Tolibov said that on 31 July 2004, he was attacked and beaten by the prosecutor Azamov and had medical evidence to confirm he had been subjected to the attack. Furthermore he reported the incident to the General Prosecutor’s Office, the President of Tajikistan and Chairman of Madjilisi Milli several times. Besides, local newspapers published a number of articles, critical of the district prosecutor. Shortly after the articles were published, on March 23, the Aininsk District Prosecutor’s Office brought a criminal action against the journalist. The prosecutor imposed a sanction on the journalist as a measure of restraint - “imprisonment.”   

In the petition, the NANSMIT pointed the National Legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan, prohibits any form of persecution for expressing criticism, but the Code of Criminal Procedure provides for the arrest as an exclusive measure of restraint, if the suspect has no permanent residency, is on run from the police, and had committed grave or the gravest crimes.     

“On the contrary here, Tolibov is a father of 5 children, he has a permanent residence and works for the state representative body, and therefore it’s unfair and inhuman to subject him to the arrest,” the petition says.

The NANSMIT requests to reconsider the decision and change the measure ordered to the written pledge not to leave the city.

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