DUSHANBE, February 22, 2013, Asia-Plus — Abdumannon Sodiqov an activist of the Islamic Revival Party (IRP)’s organization in the northern city of Isfara, has been arrested for disorderly conduct.
The Isfara city court sentenced Abdumannon Sodiqov to 15 days’ jail on February 21. The sentence followed his conviction on the charge of disorderly conduct.
IRP deputy chairman, Mahmadali Hayit, has told Asia-Plus that a meeting of women from the village of Surkh with Ms. Oliya Ghaniyeva, deputy mayor of Isfara, Mr. Obidboy Ahmadov, head of the Isfara department on religious affairs, and senior representatives from the Isfara department for women’s affairs took place on February 21. Female representatives of the Islamic Revival Party have also been invited to the meeting.
“Our activist Abdumannon Sodiqov also expressed wish to attend the meeting, but its organizers asked him to leave the premises, saying that the meeting is organized for women only,” said Hayit. “Sodiqov, however, attempted to enter the premises once again. Ms. Ghaniyeva considered that insulting and applied to a court. On the same day, the Isfara city court sentenced Sodiqov to 15 days in jail.”
Founded in October 1990, the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan was registered on December 4, 1991. It was banned by the Supreme Court in June 1993 and legalized in August 1999. Its official newspaper is
Najot
(Salvation). According to some sources, IRP now has more than 50,000 members. It won two seats in the 2010 parliamentary elections. The Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan is the only Islamic party registered in CIS Central Asia.
