US embassy cable - 05DUSHANBE1613

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 001613 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/PPD/PA, DRL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, KPAO, TI 
SUBJECT: "JUSTICE" IN TAJIKISTAN: ISKANDAROV SENTENCED TO 23 YEARS IN 
PRISON 
 
 
1.  Tajikistan's Supreme Court sentenced Mahmadruzi Iskandarov, 
former Chairman of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan and former 
head of Tojikgaz, Tajikistan's state-run natural gas monopoly, 
to 23 years in a maximum-security prison.  The court authorized 
the government to strip Iskandarov of his rank of Major General, 
confiscate his property, and take back Tajikistan's 
third-highest honor, the Spitamen medal, awarded to Iskandarov 
in 2001 when he was still in President Rahmonov's favor.  The 
court also ordered restitution of over $470,000 allegedly taken 
from Tojikgaz.  Iskandarov was convicted on eight counts under 
the Tajik Criminal Code, including terrorism, banditry, 
possession of illegal weapons, as well as forgery, bigamy, and 
embezzlement of state funds.  Iskandarov will certainly appeal 
the verdict. 
 
2.  Iskandarov's verdict comes two days after former United 
Tajik Opposition field commander Yoribek "Shaykh" Ibrohimov 
received a similar 22-year sentence for the same August 2004 
shooting in Iskandarov's hometown of Tojikobod.  This city lies 
in the middle of Tajikistan's politically sensitive Rasht 
Valley, a former opposition stronghold.  The Supreme Court 
fingered Iskandarov as the ringleader of the "terrorist attack," 
adding that the crime was committed with "illegally-possessed 
weapons." 
 
3.  (SBU) COMMENT:  As recently as spring 2004, Rahmonov had 
attempted a reconciliation with Iskandarov and had reportedly 
offered him a major political position in return for his 
support.  Iskandarov refused and made clear he would stand in 
opposition at the next presidential election.  Many believe the 
government used Iskandarov's trial to intimidate any potential 
political challengers to President Rahmonov.  Social Democratic 
Party Chairman, Rahmatullo Zoyirov, released a press statement 
calling the trial "politically motivated" and the outcome 
"ordered."  Post concurs; Iskandarov's arrest, trial, and 
verdict appear politically motivated and could effectively scare 
off contenders for the November 2006 presidential elections. 
END COMMENT. 
 
 
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