In 2025, police in Dushanbe held more than 160 people administratively liable for practicing fortune-telling and witchcraft, the Dushanbe Police Department reported.
According to the authorities, 163 cases of illegal fortune-telling were identified over the year. Offenders were punished with measures ranging from fines to administrative detention for up to 15 days under Article 482 of Tajikistan’s Code of Administrative Offenses. The exact amounts of the fines were not disclosed.
In addition, criminal proceedings were instituted against 14 individuals under Article 240 (1) of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code for repeatedly engaging in fortune-telling. The sanctions under this article предусматривают penalties ranging from fines to up to two years in prison.
The Interior Ministry recalled that penalties for fortune-telling and witchcraft were tightened in 2024. Parliament amended the Code of Administrative Offenses, increasing fines from 80 to 100 calculation indicators (one indicator equals 78 somoni) and extending the maximum administrative detention period from 10 to 15 days. Previously, fines ranged from 60 to 100 calculation indicators.
Amendments were also introduced to Article 240 of the Criminal Code. Under the revised provisions, repeated engagement in fortune-telling or witchcraft within one year after an administrative penalty carries a fine of 1,500 to 2,000 calculation indicators or imprisonment for a term of one to two years.
Following the tightening of the law, the Interior Ministry reported that nearly 500 cases of fortune-telling and witchcraft were identified nationwide during the first six months of 2025 alone.
The authorities also noted that clients of fortune-tellers will be held administratively liable as well. Under Article 482 (1) of the Code of Administrative Offenses, they face fines ranging from 50 to 60 calculation indicators, equivalent to 3,900–4,680 somonis.
