Tajikistan’s lower chamber (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament has endorsed amendments made to the country’s law on the military intelligence of the armed forces of Tajikistan. Under these amendments, the Military Intelligence Directorate of the country’s Ministry of Defense is authorized to restrain terrorist sleeper cells inside the country.
A regular sitting of the Majlisi Namoyandagon, presided over by its head, Shukurjon Zuhurov, took place on May 29.
Presenting the bill to lawmakers, the Frist Deputy Minister of Defense, Emomali Sobirzoda, noted that in accordance with the country’s legislation the military intelligence bodies act outside the country.
“But there is no legal foundation for use of them to counter terrorism and extremism inside the country,” noted Sobirzoda. “The adoption of the amendments will lay the legal foundation for creation of additional sources of financing activities of the military intelligence bodies, conduct of secret and non-secret intelligence activities, management of military intelligence bodies in wartime, use of weapons military and special equipment during the performance of official duties.”
He explained the organization of internal military intelligence by existence of terrorist sleeper cells in the country.
“The rapidly changing situation in the world and in the region, increasing threats of terrorism and extremism, existence of terrorist sleeper cells inside the country that can negatively impact the military security of the country require to bring powers of the military intelligence bodies in line with the requirements of the fight against modern threats,” the first deputy defense minister added.
Majlisi Namoyandagon deputes unanimously voted for endorsing the bill on amendments made to the country’s law on the military intelligence of the armed forces of Tajikistan.
