DUSHANBE, October 18, 2011, Asia-Plus — The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, welcomed yesterday the release from custody of two Tajik journalists convicted on charges resulting from their professional activities, and called for their acquittal, a press release issued by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan said.
“I am relieved that Mahmadyusuf Ismoilov and Urunboy Usmonov were released from custody. However, I remain concerned that they were convicted on criminal charges. Both journalists were sentenced for their independent reporting on issues of public interest and I hope their appeals will be successful and they will be soon cleared of all charges,” said Mijatović.
On October 14, a court in the northern city of Khujand found Ismoilov, a reporter with the
Nouri Zindagi
weekly, guilty of criminal libel, insult, extortion and inciting to “regional hatred.” He was sentenced to a 5,400-euro fine and a 3-year professional ban. The court also ruled that Ismoilov, who had been in custody since November 2010, be set free immediately.
Also on October 14, another court in northern Sughd province sentenced BBC reporter Usmonov to 3 years in jail on charges of participation in the activities of a banned organization and ruled that he be amnestied.
Both journalists deny the accusations leveled against them and say they will appeal the verdicts.
“I will continue to follow the cases of Ismoilov and Usmonov and I remain hopeful that they will soon be able to resume their professional activities.”
“I very much look forward to my upcoming visit to Dushanbe to meet with government officials, civil society and media,” concluded Mijatović.
