Khikmatullo Saifullozoda
Khikmatullo Saifullozoda has been an IRPT member since the early 1990s. He participated in the first round of inter-Tajik peace talks in Afghanistan, which formed the basis for the General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan. From 1997 to 2000, Saifullozoda headed the IRPT Press Center. He served on the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda from 1999 to 2004. In the early 2000s, he became Chief of Staff and spokesperson of the IRPT. Since 2010, he has been Editor-in-Chief of the party newspaper Najot. He was also a member of the IRPT Supreme Political Council and its Presidium. On 7 February 2011, Saifullozoda was attacked by unidentified assailants. As a result of the assault, Saifullozoda sustained a severe concussion and multiple fractures. He was discharged from the hospital on 17 February 2011.
Serves a 16-year term
Charged under Article 187 part 1 (Organization of a criminal association) and part 2 (Participation in a criminal association), 189 part 3 paragraph “a” (incitement of social, racial, national, regional, religious (confessional) enmity or discord committed by an organized group), 307 (Public calls for violent change of the constitutional order of the Republic of Tajikistan), part 3 – committed on the instructions of hostile organizations or representatives of foreign states, 131 part 3 paragraph “a” (Illegal imprisonment committed by an organized group), 32 – 309 part 2 paragraph “b” (Preparation of sabotage committed by an organized group), 199 (Stealing of weapons, ammunitions, explosives and explosive mechanisms, part 4 paragraphs “a” – by an organized group, “b” – using violence dangerous for life or health, or along with threat of using such a violence, “c” – using by an individual his official position, Article 195, Part 3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, or carrying of weapons, ammunition, explosives, or explosive devices committed by an organized group), 104 (Murder) part 2 paragraphs “a” – of two or more individuals, “b” – of an individual or his relatives in connection with the performance of official duties, or fulfillment the civil or public duty, “g” – committed in the manner which exposes to danger the lives of other people, “h” – committed by a criminal organization, “i” – with mercenary motive, or by hiring, “l” – with the goal of hiding another crime, or facilitate the commitment of another crime; “m” – on the ground of national, racial, religious, locality hatred or hostility, as well as vendetta; “p” – committed by an especially dangerous recidivist, or by an individual previously convicted of murder, 32 part 3 – 104 (Attempted murder) part 2 paragraphs “a” – of two or more individuals, “b” – of an individual or his relatives in connection with the performance of official duties, or fulfillment the civil or public duty, “g” – committed in the manner which exposes to danger the lives of other people, “h” – committed by a criminal organization, “h” – committed by a criminal organization, “i” – with mercenary motive, or by hiring, “l” – with the goal of hiding another crime, or facilitate the commitment of another crime; “m” – oon the ground of national, racial, religious, locality hatred or hostility, as well as vendetta; “n” – committed by an especially dangerous recidivist, or by an individual previously convicted of murder, 179 (Terrorism) part 3 paragraph “a” – committed by an organized group, 306 (Forcible seizure of power or forcible retention of power), 313 (Armed rebellion), 307 (1) part 1 (Public calls to extremist activity and public justification of extremism)
Saifullozoda was arrested on September 16, 2015 at his house by SCNS officers. Like other members of the IRPT Supreme Political Council, he was accused of involvement in the events of the mutiny allegedly organized by General Nazarzoda on September 4, 2015. The prosecutor sought a 30-year sentence for Saifullozoda. On June 2, 2016, along with 13 other members of the IRPT Supreme Political Council, he was found guilty and sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment in a strict regime penal colony. Additionally, he received a 5-year ban from holding certain positions and working in political parties. His sentence was calculated starting from September 16, 2015.
“Kirpichny” maximum-security correctional colony YAS 3/1 in Vahdat
In August 2016, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported that Saifullozoda urgently needed medical care. As of 14 August, he remained in an overcrowded temporary detention facility, where he was subjected to ill-treatment, including sleep deprivation. He suffered from heart problems and severe leg pain, with one leg reportedly showing signs of gangrene. RSF stated that he was being denied adequate medical treatment. In March 2021, Saifullozoda’s wife, Farogat Sanginova, reported that he had been transferred to the prison hospital due to worsening health, including heart problems. In early September 2021, while recovering from heart surgery performed on 16 June, he was attacked in the same facility. According to Sanginova, who conveyed his account to Radio Ozodi, another inmate struck him on the head with a heavy kettle during the night.
