Day: October 18, 2022

In a statement delivered at the international conference in Dushanbe, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon noted on October 18 that Tajikistan is at the forefront of the fight against the threat of extremism and terrorism, and “we are protecting not only the region, but also territories beyond from the catastrophic consequences of this phenomenon.”

 

According to him, given the difficult situation in the region, the Government of Tajikistan pays an utmost attention to the constant strengthening of the protection of the state border and takes necessary actions to prevent the cross-border transfer of terrorist fighters, drugs and weapon trafficking, and other transnational crimes.

 

With a view to improving the state border protection process, Tajikistan in 2010 adopted the National Border Management Strategy and its Action Plan on Border Protection System Reform for the period until 2025 with the support of international partners.

 

“It should be emphasized that under the current circumstances, the transfer of terrorist fighters from the war-torn areas of the Middle East to other regions and the strengthening of the positions of international terrorist organizations in Afghanistan poses a serious threat to the Central Asian nations,” said Tajik leader. “Imposing extremist ideas on the minds of young people and the existence of so-called international extremist and terrorist “silent groups” are among the serious threats to the security of the region.”

 

According to him, the terrorist groups continue their attempts to cross borders in the remote areas with geographical and climatic difficulties.

 

Rahmon noted that taking into account the current security situation, the international community should understand that the extremism and terrorism with all its rude manifestations do not associate with any nationality, religion and citizenship.

 

According to him, the constructive cooperation of the international community is the only main way to effective counteraction in order to eliminate the issue of terrorism.

 

Rahmon noted the importance of real and transparent cooperation in the fight against terrorism and extremism. He pointed to the necessity of ensuring the protection of borders.

 

“Tajikistan and Afghanistan have 1400 kilometers of border line with complicated mountainous terrain, which makes up about 60 percent of the borders of Central Asian countries with this country,” said the Tajik president. “In such circumstances, we are taking necessary measures to strengthen the borders and over the past two years we have built and put into use more than 175 border facilities. It is worth mentioning that at the same time the construction of 30 other facilities is going on, and we need to build another 300 of this kind of facilities in the future.”

 

He pointed to the necessity of urgent efforts to implement the initiative of Tajikistan – the concept of “Security Belt” around Afghanistan in order to prevent and reduce the consequences of dangers and threats.

 

“In order to prevent the activities of terrorists, it is necessary for the states to implement control measures in accordance with their commitments and within the framework of international law while protecting the borders,” Rahmon said, noting that nowadays, we observe that terrorists and extremists make good use of the institution of “refugee” and “asylum seeker” and abuse the trust of advanced countries.

 

“From this point of view, it is necessary to review the human values and human rights separately from terrorism and extremism, to not give shelter to those involved in terrorist acts and those, who are found guilty for such actions, and to arrest and prosecute such persons in time.”

 

He also noted that it is important to ensure reliable border security in order to prevent the threat of terrorists and extremists through land, air and sea borders.

 

It should be emphasized that an effective fight against modern destructive phenomena requires taking collective measures, Rahmon added.

 

Source: Asia-Plus

Noted Tajik blogger Daler Imomali has got a ten-year jail term. He must also pay a fine.

 

Imomali’s relatives told Asia-Plus today morning that a court in Dushanbe’s Shohmansour district sentenced Daler Imomali to 10 years in prison on October 17.

 

They did not say anything else, and they did not name the amount of the fine.

 

Asia-Plus failed to get more detailed information from Imomali’s defense lawyer

 

It is not known whether the lawyer and Daler’s relatives will appeal the verdict in higher instances.

 

The court’s ruling was nearly identical to the prosecution’s earlier demand for the prison term of 10 ½ years.

 

Imomali’s case moved to a court on September 15 and the trial began on October 7. The trial was held at the Dushanbe-based pretrial detention facility behind closed doors.

 

Imomali is charged with illegal entrepreneurship, premeditated false denunciation, and cooperating with the banned Group 24 opposition movement, which was officially designated in the country as a terrorist organization in 2014. Imomali pleaded guilty to the illegal entrepreneurship charge, but rejected the other two.

 

Imomali was detained along with noted journalist Abdullo Ghurbati on June 15 and sent to pretrial detention three days later.

 

Abdullo Ghurbati was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison on October 4. The sentenced followed his conviction on charges publicly insulting an authority, minor assault of an authority, and participating in the activities of an extremist group. Ghurbati pleaded not guilty to all three charges.

 

Meanwhile, a court in Dushanbe’s Ismoili Somoni district is still considering criminal proceedings instituted against two other independent journalists Zavqibek Saidamini and Abdusattor Pirmuhammadzoda.

 

International groups have called on the Tajik government to release the reporters and end its campaign against the free press.

 

Ranked 152nd out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2022 World Press Freedom Index, Tajikistan has fallen 36 places in the index since 2015.

 

Source: Asia-Plus

 

According to the Tajik MFA information department, the parties discussed state and prospects for further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the European Union.

 

Mr. Muhriddin and Ms. Hakala reportedly also exchanged views on a number of international and regional issues being of mutual interest.

 

Ms. Terhi Hakala arrived in Dushanbe to participate in the International High-Level Conference on “International and Regional Border Security and Management Cooperation to Counter Terrorism and Prevent the Movement of Terrorists.”

 

The EU Special Representatives (EUSRs) promote the EU’s policies and interests in specific regions and countries and play an active role in efforts to consolidate peace, stability and the rule of law. They support the work of the EU High Representative/Vice President (HR/VP) in the regions concerned. Currently, nine EUSRs support the work of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

 

The EU and the five Central Asian nations – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2021. EU engagement with the region has significantly expanded since the early 1990s. The EU – Central Asia Strategy “The EU and Central Asia: New Opportunities for a Stronger Partnership” adopted in 2019 offers an enhanced policy framework for EU engagement with the countries of Central Asia over the years to come. It focuses on promoting resilience, prosperity, and regional cooperation in Central Asia and complements Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreements. Assistance provided by the European Commission combined with assistance provided by EU Member States individually makes the European Union the number one provider of development assistance in the region.

 

Source: Asia-Plus

 

Citing Russia’s Defense Ministry, RIA Novosti reported that the incident was due to one of the engines catching fire.

 

“According to the report of the ejected pilots, the cause of the plane crash was the ignition of one of the engines during take-off. At the site of the crash of the Su-34 in the courtyard of one of the residential quarters, the plane’s fuel ignited,” the ministry was cited as saying in the statement.

 

Both pilots reportedly managed to eject.

 

RIA Novosti reported that 13 bodies, including those of three children, were removed from the debris as of Tuesday morning, according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Earlier state media reports said at least 25 people were injured.

 

Yeysk is a port town on the shore of the Sea of Azov.

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin told authorities to provide all necessary assistance to the victims of the crash, the Kremlin said in a statement, adding that Putin has received reports from the ministers and the head of the region on the situation.

 

According to the prosecutor’s office of the Krasnodar Krai region and the military prosecutor’s office of the Southern Military District, an investigation was launched into the incident,

 

The fire, which raged through more than a dozen apartments in the multistory building, was later contained.

 

Citing government security services, TASS says about 100 people have been evacuated from the building.

 

The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations told RIA Novosti the area of the fire caused by the crash was 2,000 square meters wide.

 

Source: Asia-Plus

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin received the EU Special Representative for Central Asia Ms. Terhi Hakala.

The meeting took place here on Monday, on the sidelines of the High-Level Conference on “International and Regional Border Security and Management Cooperation to Counter Terrorism and Prevent the Movement of Terrorists”

During the meeting, the parties discussed current issues and prospects for development of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the European Union, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

 

Source: National information agency of Tajikistan