QURGHON TEPPA, April 13, 2011, Asia-Pus — The Khatlon prosecutor’s office has instituted criminal proceedings against eight parents who sent their underage children to foreign religious schools, Tolibjon Azimov, an aide to Khatlon chief prosecutor, announced at a news conference in Qurghon Teppa on April 12.
According to him, prosecutors revealed cases when the parents forced their underage children to quit schools and sent them to foreign religious schools while inspecting implementation of the Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations (Law on Religion) in Qabodiyon district.
“Criminal proceedings have been instituted against those fathers under the provisions of Article 164 of Tajikistan’s Penal – preventing school students from receiving nine-year compulsory education,” said Azimov, “The preliminary investigation into these cases is nearing completion and they will move to court soon.”
He also noted that Mahmadullo Sharifzoda, imam-khatib of the Imam Bukori mosque in the city of Kulob, was suspected of being involved in activity of the outlawed extremist religious group Hizb ut-Tahrir. “Subversive leaflets have been found in his house and criminal proceedings have been instituted against Sharifzoda under Article 347 of Tajikistan’s Penal Code – not reporting crime or misprision of crime.”
