Amnesty International notes that release of independent journalist Khayrullo Mirsaidov is a rare victory for freedom of expression in Tajikistan.
Recall, the Sughd regional court yesterday released Khayrullo Mirsaidov after more than eight months behind bars.
Responding to news that Mirsaidov has been released, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said yesterday that the release of Khayrullo Mirsaidov is welcome, “but he should never have been charged in the first place.”
“We will continue to call on the Tajikistani authorities to immediately quash Khayrullo’s conviction and to undertake a thorough, impartial and independent investigation into his allegations of government corruption,” Ms. Struthers noted.
Amnesty International says it has reason to believe Khayrullo Mirsaidov’s admission to charges in relation to misappropriation of funds and forgery of documents was made under pressure.
