Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DUSHANBE338
2006-02-23 05:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:
TAJIKISTAN: POLITICAL PARTY ACTIVIST FREED FROM JAIL
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UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000338
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN: POLITICAL PARTY ACTIVIST FREED FROM JAIL
REF: 05 DUSHANBE 1701
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000338
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN: POLITICAL PARTY ACTIVIST FREED FROM JAIL
REF: 05 DUSHANBE 1701
1. Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan (SDPT) activist and
lawyer Fayzinoso Vohidova was released from prison February 21.
On October 13 the Sughd regional prosecutor's charged Vohidova
with "forgery and the production and sale of forged documents",
"evading tax payments", and "causing damage by means of
deception and breach of confidence". The prosecutor's office
alleged Vohidova practiced law illegally using a false Moscow
State University diploma. (REFTEL)
2. Embassy staff spoke to Vohidova February 22 who reported the
court found her guilty of forgery for possessing a fake diploma,
but dropped the other two charges. However, according to Tajik
news reports, the Sughd court ruled that Vohidova is guilty of
tax evasion, but dropped the other two charges. (COMMENT: The
Tajik Press is not renowned for its accuracy. END COMMENT.)
3. The court decided Vohidova had served enough time during
pretrial detention. According to Vohidova, as part of her
punishment, she will not be able to occupy official positions or
leadership roles for two years. She maintains her innocence and
plans to appeal to a higher court.
4. COMMENT: Vohidova has been a vocal critic of the local
Sughd government, particularly the prosecutor's office and was
also a leading candidate during the February 2005 parliamentary
elections, but was disqualified based on a technicality. The
regional government is likely using her arrest and guilty
verdict as an attempt to discredit her, the SDPT, and her civic
advocacy. Prohibiting her from holding office and leadership
positions show the arrest was politically motivated,
particularly in a country where many are forced to buy their
diplomas and documentation. END COMMENT.
WILSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN: POLITICAL PARTY ACTIVIST FREED FROM JAIL
REF: 05 DUSHANBE 1701
1. Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan (SDPT) activist and
lawyer Fayzinoso Vohidova was released from prison February 21.
On October 13 the Sughd regional prosecutor's charged Vohidova
with "forgery and the production and sale of forged documents",
"evading tax payments", and "causing damage by means of
deception and breach of confidence". The prosecutor's office
alleged Vohidova practiced law illegally using a false Moscow
State University diploma. (REFTEL)
2. Embassy staff spoke to Vohidova February 22 who reported the
court found her guilty of forgery for possessing a fake diploma,
but dropped the other two charges. However, according to Tajik
news reports, the Sughd court ruled that Vohidova is guilty of
tax evasion, but dropped the other two charges. (COMMENT: The
Tajik Press is not renowned for its accuracy. END COMMENT.)
3. The court decided Vohidova had served enough time during
pretrial detention. According to Vohidova, as part of her
punishment, she will not be able to occupy official positions or
leadership roles for two years. She maintains her innocence and
plans to appeal to a higher court.
4. COMMENT: Vohidova has been a vocal critic of the local
Sughd government, particularly the prosecutor's office and was
also a leading candidate during the February 2005 parliamentary
elections, but was disqualified based on a technicality. The
regional government is likely using her arrest and guilty
verdict as an attempt to discredit her, the SDPT, and her civic
advocacy. Prohibiting her from holding office and leadership
positions show the arrest was politically motivated,
particularly in a country where many are forced to buy their
diplomas and documentation. END COMMENT.
WILSON