IRP activist remains without defense lawyer

The 34-year-old activist of the Islamic Revival Party (IRP) in the northern city of Isfara, Umedjon Tojiyev, has remained without defense lawyer.

Ms. Fayzinisso Vohidova, who was Tojiyev’s defense lawyer, told Asia-Plus on November 5 that she is forced to refuse to represent Umedjon Tojiyev, because under the country’s legislation one lawyer cannot represent two or more persons in a criminal case.

“Before Umedjon Tojiyev, I represented his relative, Zuhur Ibrohimov, who was arrested on October 22 for refusing to follow police instructions.  Ibrohimov was initially sentenced to 15 days in prison but the Isfara law enforcement agencies later united cases of three relatives – Umedjon Tojiyev, Zuhur Ibrohimov and Ghufron Shodiyev – into one criminal case,” Ms. Vohidova said.

“We have sent the member of the Republican Barristers’ Association, Yusufjon Doniyorov, to Isfara, but he does not yet represent Tojiyev officially,” Vohidova noted.

We will recall that Umedjon Tojiyev was hospitalized on November 2 after falling from the third floor of the Isfara police station.

Following testimonies from detained Zuhur Ibrohimov and Ghufron Shodiyev and confession of Tojiyev himself, the Isfara prosecutor’s office reportedly instituted criminal proceedings against Umedjon Tojiyev on November 2 under the provisions of Article 187 (2) of Tajikistan’s Penal Code – organizing a criminal grouping.  He allegedly tried to escape from local police station by jumping off the third floor.

The Interior Ministry’s press center reported on November 4 that that Umedjon Tojiyev jumped from a third-floor window on November 2 and broke his leg.

By interior minister’s order an official injury was launched into the incident.

Tojiyev was initially arrested on October 30 for refusing to follow police instructions.

Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reported on November 4 Tojiyev’s colleagues and relatives say the charges against him are politically motivated and that he might have been tortured while in custody.

The deputy chairman of the IRP, Saidumar Husaini, told RFE/RL that party representatives have been sent to Isfara to clarify the situation.