The appeals court of the Khujand city court that will consider the latter’s verdict against Khairullo Mirsaidov soon should take into consideration that Mirsaidov repaired a 124,000 somoni damage caused to the Sughd regional budget, Tajik Ombudsman Zarif Alizoda told reporters in Dushanbe on July 19.

Two media watchdogs have condemned a 12-year prison sentence against Tajik journalist Hairullo Mirsaidov and called for his immediate release, saying the charges against him for alleged financial crimes were politically motivated.

The family of Khairullo Mirsaidov, the leader of the Khujand-based KVN team and journalist, has paid a 124,000 somoni fine imposed upon him by the Khujand city court, says a statement by Mirsaidov’s lawyers, copy of which Asia-Plus received on July 16. 

In a statement released on July 13, Human Rights Watch (HRW) called the trial of Khairullo Mirsaidov a “mockery of justice” and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee demands more international efforts to force Dushanbe into respecting fundamental human rights.

Mass media can be punished for criticism of sentencing: “Currently, discussion and criticism of sentencing by media can be regarded as obstruction of justice.”  The Prosecutor-General’s Office says that sentencing of leader of the Khujand-based KVN team, Khairullo Mirsaidov, has no relation to his journalism activity and is not politically motivated.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned prominent Tajik journalist Hairullo Mirsaidov’s financial-crimes conviction and 12-year prison sentence.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned prominent Tajik journalist Hairullo Mirsaidov’s financial-crimes conviction and 12-year prison sentence.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, yesterday expressed his concern about an excessive sentence of 12 years in a penal colony handed down to Khairullo Mirsaidov by a court in Tajikistan.

The Khujand city court sentenced the stand-up comedian and journalist Khairullo Mirsaidov to 12 years in prison on July 11.  The sentence followed his conviction on charges of misappropriate of state funds, document forgery and false denunciation.  The court also imposed a 123,913 somoni fine.  Mirsaidov will serve his term a high-security penal colony.