The second court hearing in a high-profile case involving an alleged coup attempt and treason took place in Dushanbe on November 18, as reported by Asia-Plus.
The defendants include prominent Tajik politicians and public figures, among them former Industry Minister Zaid Saidov, ex-Prosecutor General Bobojon Bobokhonov, and Mahmadruzzi Iskandarov, the former leader of Tajikistan's Democratic Party.
According to informed sources, the court heard testimony from four defendants during today's session, including:
• Hamrokhon Zarifi, former Foreign Minister of Tajikistan
• Abdulfaiz Atoi, who previously headed the foreign policy information, press, analysis, and planning department at the Foreign Ministry
• Nuramin Ganizoda and Jamshed Boev, both former colonels in the State Committee for National Security
Most defendants face charges under Articles 305 (Treason) and 306 (Seizure of Power) of Tajikistan's Criminal Code. Some are additionally charged with Fraud (Article 247) and Inciting National, Racial, Local, or Religious Enmity (Article 189).
While the prosecution claims the cases are interconnected, most defendants deny involvement in the alleged crimes.
The trial is being held behind closed doors at the State Committee for National Security's detention center. The first hearing on November 14 saw the court reject a defense motion to move proceedings to an open courtroom, opting to continue in the secure facility.
Tajik authorities cite the classified nature of the cases for withholding details. The Supreme Court's press service stated, «The hearing is conducted at the detention center. Case materials are classified; we have no additional information."
Relatives of the accused report being kept in the dark about the proceedings. «We know nothing. We're not allowed at the hearings,» one told journalists.
Previously, Tajikistan's Prosecutor General Yusuf Rahmon alleged that Zarifi, Iskandarov, Democratic Party Deputy Chairman Ahmadshoh Komilzoda, and Social Democratic Party Deputy Head Shokirjon Hakimov were «in close contact» with Saidzhafar Usmonzoda. Usmonzoda, formerly chairman of Tajikistan's Democratic Party and a member of parliament, was arrested in June on charges of attempting to violently seize power.
