DUSHANBE, November 17, 2010, Asia-Plus — An activist of the Islamic Revival Party (IRP), Muhammadruzi Burhonov, who was sentenced for one year in prison, was released earlier ahead of the Idi Qurbon holiday, which was marked this year in Tajikistan on November 16.
A court in Vakhsh district of Khatlon province sentenced Muhamamdruzi Burhonov to one year in prison in early June this year, according to IRP’s headquarters in Dushanbe. The sentence followed his conviction on charges of violating the country’s election and casting ballots on behalf of all members of his family on February 28, 2010.
“At the initial stage of investigation, the law enforcement authorities brought charges of making pressure on members of an electoral commission and inciting racial, national, ethnic or religious enmity against Burhonov,” said the source, “These charges were dismissed for failure of evidence, but the court, however, found him guilty for casting ballots on behalf of all members of his family. Burhonov did not deny this.”
