Open letter to the authorities of the Republic of Tajikistan and the international community Demanding the release of the convicted editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Paik” Ahmadi Ibrohim with concern The National Committee for Release of Political Hostages and Prisoners of Tajikistan, in solidarity with the Tajik free-thinking community, strongly condemns the arrest of Ahmadi Ibrohim, editor-in-chief of the independent publication “Paik”.

We condemn and demand that the relevant authorities of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan immediately release him and overturn the unfair sentence and fabricated charges brought against him earlier!

Ahmadi Ibrahim, who was arrested in August 2024, and sentenced by the Kulob City Court on January 10, 2025, to ten years in prison on dubious charges of “bribery,” “extortion,” and “extremism.” Ahmad Ibrahim is a well-known and beloved figure in the community. He is 63 years old and is considered one of the most prominent Tajik journalists, having worked for many years in domestic and foreign media. He used his pen to express the opinions of people in the country’s journalistic community. Ahmad Ibrahim is also the author of such books as “Bloody River,” “The Last Leap of the Tiger,” “Spitaman. Katan. Tahoriston,” and “Cyrus the Great.” Accusing such a person of “extremism,” “bribery” and “extortion” is nothing more than a conspiracy!

In 2012, he founded the independent newspaper “Paik” in Khatlon Province and served as its editor-in-chief and publisher until his arrest. Despite unprecedented government pressure, “Paik” played a prominent role as a reliable source of news on the social and economic problems of the people. Unfortunately, the recent conviction of Ahmadi Ibrahim is a continuation of the systematic repressive policies of the Tajik government, which have completely curtailed freedom of speech and the independent press.

In recent years, dozens of journalists, bloggers and social activists have been sentenced to prison on baseless charges. In 2022 and 2023 alone, eight journalists and bloggers were sentenced to long prison terms.

We ask the international community and human rights organizations, as well as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the diplomatic corps in Tajikistan to pay special attention to the case of Ahmadi Ibrahim and use all their diplomatic and legal opportunities to promote the freedom of this independent journalist. The Civil Committee for the Rescue of Hostages and Political Prisoners of Tajikistan, believes that the detention of Ahmad Ibrahim is completely unfounded and illegal, that this sentence was handed down for political purposes.

The Committee warns the government of Tajikistan that ensuring fair and independent conditions for journalists and freedom of the press in Tajikistan is the responsibility of the government in accordance with the current legislation of Tajikistan, and this tarnishes the image of the government and the country in the international arena!

The death of freedom of speech in any country is also the death of justice, human rights and social development. We demand that the government of Tajikistan respect freedom of speech and end the repression of freethinkers and journalists. 

We guarantee that our efforts to free him and protect other political prisoners will continue until justice is done!

January 14.2025