Tajikistan has sentenced several former high-ranking officials to prison terms of up to 27 years following closed-door trials, accusing them of plotting a coup, according to media reports.
The Central Asian nation has been ruled by President Emomali Rahmon since 1992. Trials deemed politically sensitive are typically conducted in secrecy, with authorities classifying them as confidential and providing little to no information to the public or the press.
While the government has not officially commented on the case, the Tajik branch of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported that Khamrokhon Zarifi, a former foreign minister, and Saidjafar Usmonzoda, a former political party leader, were each sentenced to 27 years in prison.
Seven others—including diplomats, journalists, and members of pro-government political parties—received sentences ranging from eight to 18 years, according to the same report. A lawyer for one of the defendants confirmed the verdicts to Agence France-Presse.
Tajik authorities first announced last year that the suspects had been planning a coup and asserted that their guilt was “fully established” even before the trials had begun.
Human Rights Watch has condemned what it describes as escalating repression in the country, calling on the government to halt its crackdown on political opponents.
Tajikistan shares borders with Afghanistan and China. Rights groups have accused Rahmon of fostering a cult of personality, noting his official titles include “Founder of Peace and National Unity” and “Leader of the Nation.” His supporters, however, credit him with stabilizing the country following a civil war that lasted from 1992 to 1997.
