QUESTION: What do you think about the current lawsuits? The last time it was with Millat, and now it is with Asia Plus and other newspapers. What is your opinion about this?
AMBASSADOR GROSS: Well, as we said in our press statement, we are very concerned with freedom of press here in Tajikistan. And what we are hoping for is the court case validates the freedom of press here. It is extremely important in any country that the press has opportunity to report freely what happens, without any restrictions, threats, or punishments through judicial means or otherwise, and we are here today to observe and see what happens in court. Hopefully, the court will uphold the principle of freedom of press.
QUESTION: What if the results of the court hearings will be against the journalists? What are the next steps of the Embassy?
AMBASSADOR GROSS: We are not here to speculate what the court may or may not do. That would be inappropriate. The reason we are here is to support the principle of freedom of press and obviously, and we hope that the court upholds that principle as well.
QUESTION: Taking into account that the judicial system is not free from influence — what if the results of the hearings turn out to be against the journalists? What are the next steps of the Embassy?
AMBASSADOR GROSS: I wouldn’t want to say that until we hear what the court decides. It would be premature to talk about this before the court issues its judgment.

US Embassy in Dushanbe