Imamidin Tashov
Businessman, former presidential candidate
Sentenced to 9 years in prison
Criminal Code Article 325 – Attempted coup
Criminal Code Article 326 – Calls to seize power by force
Criminal Code Article 378 – Illegal border crossing
Tashov was first arrested in 2023 for alleged illegal construction, then released under house arrest. In April 2024, he was detained again during a border operation and charged with attempting to overthrow the government, calling for a violent seizure of power, and illegally crossing the state border. In July 2025, the Pervomaisky District Court sentenced him to nine years in prison. His case attracted significant public attention and described as politically motivated. During detention, Tashov staged hunger strikes and engaged in acts of self-harm in protest against his treatment.
Tashov has been held in State Committee for National Security’s detention facilities and later in prep-detention centre-1. Communication with family was extremely limited and allowed only through lawyers. He reported psychological pressure, strict isolation, and poor detention conditions. In September 2025, he declared a hunger strike to protest his treatment and the conditions of detention.
Tashov repeatedly attempted self-harm both in detention and in court, indicating severe psychological distress and possibly torture leading to suicidal attempts. Hunger strikes and prolonged isolation worsened his physical and mental health. Lawyers and rights defenders reported that he did not receive adequate psychological care or medical supervision despite the obvious risks to his health.
