Tajikistan Jails 170 Over Failed Coup In 2015

August 04, 2016

Tajikistan has jailed 170 people for complicity in an armed attempt by a deputy defense minister to topple President Emomali Rahmon last year, the country's prosecutor-general says.

Yusuf Rahmon said on August 4 that the 170 had been sentenced to prison terms of between one and 30 years on a number of charges, including murder and membership of a criminal group.

General Abduhalim Nazarzoda, the rebellious deputy defense minister, was killed with 15 other plotters in a special operation by security forces following the attempted coup in September 2015.

The authorities closed the Islamic Renaissance Party (IRPT) after they suppressed the rebellion, accusing it of backing the renegade general. 

IRPT leader Muhiddin Kabiri, who is currently in self-imposed exile abroad, denies any involvement of his party in the attempted coup.

Based on reporting by Reuters and news.tj