Two Suspected Hizb Ut-Tahrir Activists Held in Tajikistan

DUSHANBE. Sept 26 (Interfax) – Two suspected Hizb ut-Tahrir activists have been detained in northern Tajikistan, a source with the Tajik Interior Ministry told Interfax.

“Two Tajik citizens, blood brothers residing in the Sughd region, were detained on the suspicion of being active members of the Hizb ut-Tahrir party,” the source said.

“A criminal case was opened. Charges will soon be brought against the brothers,” he added.

Hizb ut-Tahrir members are usually charged with public appeals to overthrow the constitutional authorities in Tajikistan, as well as fomenting ethnic, racial and religious hatred.

The Sughd regional court sentenced a Hizb ut-Tahrir activist to ten years in prison this May.

The majority of the banned party supporters live in northern Tajikistan at the state border with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Twelve members of various extremist organizations were sentenced in Tajikistan last year. The Tajik Supreme Court acknowledged the earlier banned Hizb ut-Tahrir as extremist and banned bringing any printed, audio or video materials propagating the ideas of this party in the country this March.

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