Tajik authorities are seriously concerned over the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (IRPT)’s actions abroad; according to them, these actions pose threat to the country’s security.
Deputy Director of the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Tajikistan, Sayfullo Safarov, remarked this today while giving a news conference on the results of the work carried out by the Center over the past six months.
Asked about an action of the Tajik opposition forces that recently took place in the German city of Dortmund, the deputy head of the Tajik state-run think tank noted that the fact that such meetings of various opposition organizations are being held under the leadership of the IRPT evokes serious concern.
He stressed that all Tajikistanis must be vigilant and resist “any efforts of these groups, whose ultimate goal is to destabilize the country.”
According to him, the authorities should take specific measures to counter these forces. “I think that such works are being carried out,” Safarov added.
Recall, Tajik opposition forces carried out an action dedicated to 20th anniversary of the signing of the Tajik Peace Accord that ended a five-year civil war there in the German city of Dortmund on July 9. Leader of the banned Islamic Revival Party Muhiddin Kabiri and representatives of Group-24 participated in that action.
Meanwhile, EurasiaNet.org reported on July 6 that IRPT representatives say their top priority now is to get the issue of political repression in Tajikistan on the international agenda and to encourage the EU, and other states, to introduce sanctions targeting top members of the elite. Since IRPT leader, Muhiddin Kabiri, received asylum in the EU in February, the party is now in a better position to lobby for sanctions.
In April, Kabiri visited Poland to take part in the first European meeting of party members. “Tajik authorities are no longer a partner in dialogue. The majority of politicians and people in the West see Tajikistan as a transit zone to Afghanistan, not as an independent country. That’s why Tajik authorities have been so effective in their fight against the party,” IRPT leader was cited as saying by EurasiaMet.org.
