Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DUSHANBE1575
2006-08-17 04:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:
TAJIKISTAN: FORMER DCA CHAIRMAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON
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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
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
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