Tajik opposition politician detained ahead of election
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 February 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Tajik opposition politician detained ahead of election, 4 February 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54e1a4ba8.html [accessed 3 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 04, 2015
By RFE/RL's Tajik Service
KHATLON, Tajikistan – An opposition politician who intended to run in Tajikistan's March 1 parliamentary election has been detained on embezzlement charges.
Firdavs Sohibnazarov's mother told RFE/RL on February 4 that her son was apprehended on February 3 and sent to a detention center in the city of Qurghonteppa.
Sohibnazarov leads the local branch of the Social Democratic Party (HSDT) in the southern Huroson district.
HSDT national leader Rahmatullo Zoirov told RFE/RL that authorities said the accusations against his colleague were linked to the "disappearance of $43,000" from a bank where Sohibnazarov used to work as a financial expert.
The HSDT nominated Sohibnazarov as a parliamentary candidate last month, but he was informed on January 31 that he was barred from running because he was under investigation.
Sohibnazarov told RFE/RL at the time that he believes the case was fabricated to keep him out of the election.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
