Tajikistan puts high-profile officials on trial in secret case

The landlocked country has been ruled by President Emomali Rahmon for 32 years, and information is tightly controlled.

AFP learned from a source in the country’s Supreme Court and relatives of the accused that trials have been ongoing for at least 10 days in total secrecy.

The identities of the officials have not been revealed and it is not clear what charges they face.

A court source told AFP that “at least six people” were on trial in the capital Dushanbe.

Relatives of three of the accused told AFP they had to sign non-disclosure agreements and that the trial was classed as secret.

“We were warned that if elements of the case were disclosed, criminal proceedings would be opened against us,” one relative told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The trials come after the reclusive state announced criminal cases against several high-profile officials in August — including a former foreign minister and members of political parties loyal to Rahmon.

The officials may have been arrested for conspiring to carry out a “coup”, according to analysts, who suggest Rahmon may be gearing up to hand power to his son Rustam.

Supporters of Rahmon credit him with reconciling the country after a civil war between 1992 and 1997.

Rights group criticise Rahmon for severely suppressing the press and opposition during his long rule.

AFP