Alim Sherzamonov
| Alim Sherzamonov | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Tajikistan |
| Occupation | politician |
| Known for | Current government has denounced him |
Alim Sherzamonov is a politician in Tajikistan.[1][2]
On June 16, 2014, individuals who identified themselves as Tajikistan government security officials apprehended Alex Sodiqov Political Science PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, during an interview with Sherzamanov.[1][2]
Sherzamonov is credited with playing a leadership role during political unrest in Khorog, the capital of the autonomous republic of Gorno-Badakhshan, in 2012.[3] Human Rights Watch describes Sherzamonov as a "civil society activist". Academics at the University of Exeter would say Sodiqov was interviewing Sherzamonov as part of a study of failures of conflict management in former Republics of the Soviet Union.
The whistleblower organization WikiLeaks published a diplomatic cable from United States Ambassador Tracey A. Jacobson, which said Sherzamonov was the "local representative of the Social Democratic Party".[4] Jacobson reported that Sherzamonov had played a role in getting protesters to disperse.
Kirgizbek Kanunov, writing in CACI Analyst asserted that Tajikistan's National Security Committee, the KNB, had described Sodiqov as an agent for a foreign government, who was negotiating with Sherzamonov on their behalf.[5] CTV News reported Sherzamonov claimed security officials had planned to arrest him, as well.[6]
Global Voices, a site Sodiqov has contributed to, reported that Security Officials had broadcast footage of Sodiqov, that seemed intended to discredit Sheramonov.[7][8]
Sherzamonov has acknowledged playing a role in demonstrations during the summer of 2012, but he insists his role was peaceful and non-violent.[9]
References
- 1 2 Chris Rickleton (2014-06-19). "Fears grow for Canadian researcher arrested in Tajikistan". The Guardian. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
Tajik authorities are said to have paraded University of Toronto researcher Alexander Sodiqov, who disappeared three days ago, on television in an apparent attempt to discredit both him and an opposition politician.
- 1 2 Paul Clarke (2014-06-18). "U of T student detained in Tajikistan, accused of spying". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
More than a hundred professors from around the world signed an online petition expressing their concern for Alexander Sodiqov, a citizen of Tajikistan and a PhD candidate in U of T’s department of political science.
- ↑ "Tajikistan: Free or Charge Researcher". Human Rights Watch. 2014-06-19. Archived from the original on 2014-06-20.
Two persons identifying themselves as officers with Tajikistan’s State Committee for National Security detained Alexander Sodiqov in Khorog, capital of the autonomous republic of Gorno-Badakhshan, on suspicion of spying for an unnamed country after he met with civil society activist Alim Sherzamonov.
- ↑ Tracey A. Jacobson (2008-06-25). "TAJIKISTAN - KHOROG DEMONSTRATIONS SHOW MORE OF VULNERABILITY OF PRESIDENT RAHMON'S GOVERNMENT". Dushanbe: WikiLeaks. Archived from the original on 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
According to press reports, on June 18, approximately 300 residents of Khorog gathered in front of the government building to protest news that the government had sent additional troops to the region. After negotiations with the leaders of the group, which included Alim Sherzamonov, the local representative of the Social Democratic Party, protesters dispersed.
- ↑ Kirgizbek Kanunov (2014-06-18). "Tajikistan's Authorities Tighten Control Ahead of 2015 Elections". CACI Analyst. Archived from the original on 2014-06-20.
A recent example is the detention of Alexander Sodiqov on June 16 in Khorog. He was allegedly conducting a reconnaissance mission for a foreign government. Sodiqov is a doctoral student at the University of Toronto (and a frequent contributor to the Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst –ed.). But Tajikistan's National Security Committee (KNB) maintains that he was deployed by a foreign government to negotiate with Alim Sherzamonov, leader of the Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan (SDPT), along with civil society actors in GBAO. The KNB report states that Sodiqov was arrested while transferring "biased" materials to Sherzamonov. Sherzamonov, however, claims that Sodiqov’s only fault was to speak with him.
- ↑ Andrea Janus (2014-06-19). "U of T student accused of spying, detained in Tajikistan". CTV News. Archived from the original on 2014-06-19. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
According to Human Rights Watch, Sherzamonov told reporters that around noon on the day of his meeting with Sodiqov, two people in plain clothes who identified themselves as security services officers attempted to arrest both men. Sherzamonov protested, and only Sodiqov was taken away.
- ↑ "Tajik Government Silent on "Disappeared" Global Voices Contributor". Global Voices Online. 2014-06-19. Archived from the original on 2014-06-20.
If the resident’s comments are true, it appears Sodiqov is being used to discredit Sherzamonov, the opposition Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan’s regional representative in Badakhshan. Sherzamonov, with whom Sodiqov was allegedly speaking on the topic of community conflict at the time of his arrest, has openly admitted to participating in mass protests in Khorog on May 22–23, and claimed police wanted to arrest him at the same time they arrested Sodiqov, but were unable due to the intervention of his supporters.
- ↑ Александр Содиков появился в эфире хорогского ТВ [Alexander appeared on air Sodikov Khorog TV] (in Russian). Dushanbe: Asia Plus. 2014-06-18. Archived from the original on 2014-06-20.
- ↑ Dilafruz Nabiyeva, Faromarzi Olamafruz (2012-07-24). "Tajik troops battle Nazarov's suspected killers: At least 12 troops, 30 extremists dead -- Tajik state TV". Central Asia Online. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
Authorities are evacuating women and children from Khorog but telling men to stay until the killers are caught, said Alim Sherzamonov, a GBAO spokesman for the Social-Democratic Party.