35 people gathered yesterday in front of the Supreme Court in Dushanbe to protest against “unfair court rulings and corrupt judiciary” in the country. Protestors held placards with the names of “corrupt judges” and demanded that the head of the Supreme Court had a meeting with them. Participants of the public rally announced to […]

Islamic Revival Party has managed to overcome internal disputes and is preparing for tougher political struggle. IRPT’s chairman Muhiddin Kabiri outlined new party strategy.
Addressing a meeting of party activists on January 16, Mr. Kabiri spoke much longer and on a much wider scope of issues than an ordinary opening speech might require. It was […]

China and Tajikistan signed several agreements to strengthen economic cooperation as Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov pays a weeklong official visit to China.
President Rakhmonov visited China before and frequently met with the country’s leaders on the sidelines of various summits and forums. This time it is different. Rakhmonov arrived at Beijing with a large group […]

Presidium of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan (DPT) dismissed Chairman Masud Sobirov on December 24 and appointed his deputy Saidjafar Ismonov as acting head.
Speaking to journalists yesterday, Mr. Ismonov said Masud Sobirov was dismissed because of his intention to reunite with another wing of the party, led by Rahmatullo Valiev.
“He [Masud Sobirov] was […]

Editor’s Note: What follows is part of a cross-blog survey that explores what Central Eurasia might look like fifteen years from now.
In his most recent post, Vadim predicts a bright future for Tajikistan 15 years from now. While I also have optimistic expectations of the country’s prospects, I believe we will inevitably face more […]

The Ayni-Penjikent road along the Zerafshan river is a fantastically scenic route. After another three to four hour drive, interrupted at some point by a traffic police officer soliciting “choypuli”, we arrived in Penjikent.
The town has certainly changed since the 1990s. It looks more abandoned now. Driving along the major street that used to […]

A power shortage in Tajikistan caused blackouts throughout the country. Barki Tojik, the Tajik state electricity provider had warned that the total blackout will last for three days and then the power supply will remain limited for almost a week.
The blackouts have been caused by the construction of Sangtuda-1 hydropower plant. The river Vakhsh […]

Zerafshan valley is one of the most picturesque places in Tajikistan. And one of the most isolated too. Centuries ago, the valley was the centre of Sogdiana (Sughdiyon), a wealthy and developed state on the Great Silk Road. During the Soviet rule, the valley was divided in two: Samarkand went to Uzbekistan, while Penjikent […]

After completing a 15-day jail sentence for holding unauthorized rally in Dushanbe, four activists of the opposition Democratic Party of Tajikistan (DPT) say Tajik authorities misunderstood them.
In his first appearance since the release from jail on November 20, Rajab Mirzo, well-known Tajik journalist and head of the Dushanbe chapter of DPT, claimed the […]

A small opposition rally in front of the Justice Ministry in Dushanbe, two days prior to the presidential vote went almost unnoticed. In a post on the Russian section of the blog, I shared thoughts on the event and the debate that it has sparked.
Five to six young activists of opposition parties boycotting the […]