In a statement released on February 28, the Reporters without Borders (RSF), particular, notes that repression against independent voices is intensifying in Tajikistan ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for March 2. “The latest victim, Rukhshona Hakimova, is awaiting her appeal trial after being handed down eight years in prison for “high treason” due to her work on Chinese influence in the country,” the statement says, noting that RSF condemns this arbitrary sentence and urges the prosecutor to release the journalist.
RSF notes in its statement that Rukhshona Hakimova has been languishing in prison for nearly a month “for conducting a survey — that have not yet been published — on Chinese influence and foreign aid in Tajikistan.” The same questionnaire, prepared for an independent research institute, has reportedly been used in several other Central Asian countries without any legal consequences.
RSF believes that the investigation into Rukhshona Hakimova’s case was marred by irregularities, and her trial was unfair. “Her arbitrary and scandalous conviction, with an alarmingly heavy sentence, illustrates the Tajik authorities’ determination to silence all independent voices ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for this Sunday,” the statement says, adding that RSF supports the journalist, refutes the charge against her, and calls on the prosecutor to grant her immediate release
As it had been reported earlier, the Supreme Court of Tajikistan sentenced Rukhshona Hakimova, a 31-year-old independent journalist who has worked for a variety of media outlets, to eight years in prison on February 5. The sentence followed her conviction on charges of aiding in the crime of treason using official position (Article 305, Part 2).
The prosecutor had initially sought a 17-year sentence. Until the verdict, Hakimova remained free due to having two small children, but she was arrested in the courtroom immediately after the sentence was announced.
The charge of treason against Hakimova stems from a public survey she conducted on China's influence on Tajikistan as part of her work as a reporter last year. According to available information, Hakimova’s case may be linked to her survey on “China’s Influence on Tajikistan", which was previously answered by several individuals convicted in the "coup plot" case, including Saidjafar Usmonzoda, former head of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan, sentenced to 27 years in prison, and Shokirjon Hakimov, sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Rukhshona Hakimova is an independent journalist and mother of two small children: one is 9 months old and another one is 2 ½ years old. Rukhshona Hakimova is the niece of Shokirjon Hakimov, lawyer and the Frist Deputy Chairman of the Social-Democratic Party of Tajikistan (SDPT). HE was sentenced on 18 years in prison
Shokirjon Hakimov was charged with incitement of social, racial, national, regional, or religious hatred (Article 189, Part 2) and treason using official position (Article 305, Part 1, item "v").
