Verdict against 34 defendants, all members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), was read today in Sughd province of Tajikistan.
Judge Jurabek Sherov presided over the trial, which took place at the Khujand #2 Detention Center. 34 defendants, all residents of Isfara region, were accused of being IMU members and faced other criminal charges.
According to AP’s source in the regional court, all were found guilty of committing various crimes specified by Article 104 (murder), 185 part 1 (Organization of illegal armed group), 186 parts 1 and 2 (racketeering, setting up of sustainable armed group to attack citizens and organizations), 187 parts 1 and 2 (organization of a criminal group and criminal organization to commit grave and extremely grave offences), 189 part 3 (Instigation of national, racial, local and religious hostility), 306 part 3 (forced capture of power), 307 part 3 (public appeals to forced overthrow of the constitutional order of the Republic of Tajikistan, committed upon request of hostile organizations or representatives of other countries) of the Criminal Code of Tajikistan.
The court sentenced members of the group aged from 18 to 55 to 8-28 years in high security prison. The defendants have the right to appeal since the verdict has not yet entered into force.
According to Prosecutor’s Office for Sughd area, 135 active members of religious and extremist parties were revealed in the province in 2011. A total of 14 criminal proceedings were launched in the reporting period.
