DUSHANBE, August 5, 2010, Asia-Plus — Muhammadali Hoit, the deputy leader of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) was summoned to the Interior Ministry directorate empowered to combat organized crime yesterday afternoon.
According to the IRPT spokesman Hikmatullo Sayfullozoda, Hoit was summoned to police over report released by some media about the beating of Mavlavi Abduqahhor during the recent detention of him and his students. “Muhammadali Hoit was released after almost three-hour enlightening talk, during which they discussed the report,” the spokesman said.
Information about the beating of Mavlavi Abduqahhor and his students was posted on IRPT’s website. While reporting on this subject, some media added a statement that was recently made by Muhammadali Hoit at one of news conference. The IRPT deputy leader noted that time that “secular extremism gives rise to Islamic extremism.”
Sayfullozoda says Hoit was released after writing explanatory note that his statement did not concern the information about the beating of Mavlavi Abduqahhor. Police also warned him to make such statements that could “destabilize the political situation in the country,” the spokesman added.
We will recall that Tajik law enforcement authorities recently detained Mavlavi Abduqahhor dozens of his students at his religious school in Roudaki district. Officials say Mavlavi Abduqahhor was detained for a number of administrative delinquencies. According to the Interior Ministry spokesman Mahmadullo Asadulloyev, Mavlavi Abduqahhor was detained for teaching without a license. “Besides, he failed to comply with school health and hygienic regulations,” said the spokesman, “Moreover, he was also teaching children under the age of 7, while the country’s legislation prohibits teaching religious subjects to children of this age.” He added that Mavlavi Abduqahhor had some 70 students aged 4 to 16.
A high-ranking source at the Ministry of Interior said, “Mavlavi Abduqahhor is accused of teaching without license and nobody accuses him of committing any criminal offences.” He noted that Abduqahhor’s case has already moved to court. The source refrained from giving further details.
In the meantime, information posted on the IRPT website says Mavlavi Abduqahhor and his students were beaten by police officers during the detention. “Mavlavi Abduqahhor and some 70 his students were beaten by police during the detention in the village of Daryoobod, the website reported.
