The head of Tajikistan's state-run communications service says access to Facebook is being blocked at the request of the public.
Beg Zuhurov said he had received "appeals from representatives of society and many phone calls from distressed people" complaining about the "filth and slander" on the social-media site.
Zuhurov said "academics, doctors, and important cultural figures" are among those who have complained.
Tajik authorities ordered Facebook blocked on November 26.
Zuhurov said then that the site was blocked for "technical reasons."
Asomuddin Atoev, the chairman of Tajikistan's Association of Internet Providers, said his organization received what he called an "oral command" to block access to Facebook.
Atoev said the order "violates the rights of [Internet] users," adding that it also "tarnishes the image of the country."
Beg Zuhurov said he had received "appeals from representatives of society and many phone calls from distressed people" complaining about the "filth and slander" on the social-media site.
Zuhurov said "academics, doctors, and important cultural figures" are among those who have complained.
Tajik authorities ordered Facebook blocked on November 26.
Zuhurov said then that the site was blocked for "technical reasons."
Asomuddin Atoev, the chairman of Tajikistan's Association of Internet Providers, said his organization received what he called an "oral command" to block access to Facebook.
Atoev said the order "violates the rights of [Internet] users," adding that it also "tarnishes the image of the country."
