TAJIKISTAN: FORMER DCA CHAIRMAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 001575 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM TI SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN: FORMER DCA CHAIRMAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON ¶1. (U) A Tajik court sentenced former Drug Control Agency Chairman, Lieutenant General Ghaffor Mirzoyev August 11 to life imprisonment for planning to overthrow Tajikistan's President Rahmonov. Mirzoyev was arrested August 6, 2004 and officially charged with 36 crimes including attempt to topple the regime, murder, illegal possession of massive amounts of firearms, drug smuggling and illegal privatization of government property. The General Prosecutor's office asked for the death penalty as punishment. However, Tajikistan has an official moratorium on the death penalty and Mirzoyev received life in prison. Mirzoyev pled not guilty to all charges and will appeal the court decision and sentencing. Fifteen of his supporters have also been imprisoned. ¶2. (SBU) According to the press and Embassy sources, the trial was closed from the public because evidence was deemed as "state secrets," which is legal under Tajik law. A fellow Kulobi, SIPDIS Mirzoyev was one of President Rahmonov's closest advisors during the Tajik civil war, leading the People's Front against the opposition, and could have been privy to information that may be detrimental to Rahmonov's reputation. Mirzoyev claimed he murdered several opposition figures on instructions of the president's administration. Several media outlets also report one reason for Mirzoyev's imprisonment could be that he was involved in the struggle for control of TadAZ, Tajikistan's state-owned aluminum smelter and a primary source of revenue for the government. Mirzoyev led the elite Presidential Guard armed forces between between 1995 and 2004, and was briefly head of the country's anti-narcotics agency before his 2004 arrest. Mirzoyev accumulated wealth by privatizing small companies and government buildings, all of which the government now claims was done illegally. He also allegedly profited from drug trafficking. As Mirzoyev gained confidence in his power, he publicly opposed Rahmonov and made it clear that he wanted to be the next president. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: Even though Mirzoyev may appeal the sentencing, it is extremely unlikely he will be released from prison. The government would not risk allowing the "state secrets" that forced the trial behind doors to be released. SIPDIS Mirzoyev probably committed many of the charges brought against him, but it is the lack of transparency and selective use of the law that suggests political will is driving the case. Mirzoyev joins the ranks of Mahmadruzzi Iskandarov, former chairman of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan imprisoned for 23 years, who dared to publicly challenge Rahmonov as he approaches the finish line at the November presidential election. END COMMENT. HUSHEK