Watchdog

Two more Iranian filmmakers have been arrested amid antigovernment protests that have erupted in Iran over the death of a young woman who was in police custody for allegedly wearing her head scarf improperly.

Friends of filmmaker and editor Nik Yousefi, who released a music video in support of the protest movement in Iran that went viral, say he was arrested on October 16.

Last week Yousefi said in a tweet that he left Tehran and turned off his mobile phone to avoid being arrested by security agents.

Yousefi also said that the security agents went to his friend's house to arrest him using the private information available in the SnappFood application, but he was not there. Dozens of other users of the food ordering app also warned about the security forces' use of information on it and several other Iranian applications to track and arrest protesters.

Security agents managed to arrest Yousefi a week later at another place.

The security forces have also arrested the Iranian documentary filmmaker Mojgan Ilanlu. Ilanlou, whose arrest was announced on Instagram, had previously published pictures of herself walking on the streets of Tehran without a hijab in solidarity with the antigovernment protests over the death last month of Mahsa Amini, 22, after she was taken into custody by morality police for alleged improper wearing of a hijab.

Since the start of daily protests that have rocked Iran since Amini's death, several Iranian cinematographers and prominent public figures have been summoned or arrested by the authorities, including Jafar Panahi, Mohammad Rasulof, and Mostafa al-Ahmad.

Multiple Iranian celebrities, including soccer star Ali Daei, have been interrogated and had their passports confiscated by the authorities after showing support for the protests.

Noted Iranian actor Hamid Farrokhnejad said on his Instagram page on October 9 that he had undergone hours of interrogation and pressure from security officials because of his support for the protesters.

"I was summoned twice, interrogated for 10 hours, and banned from leaving the country to prove to me that I was wrong when I said that even a peaceful protest is not possible in this country," Farrokhnejad said.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Tajik authorities have handed down long prison terms to three independent journalists and bloggers in recent days on what media watchdogs say are trumped-up charges.

Four other reporters are awaiting sentencing amid allegations that some of them were tortured in detention. The trials have all been held behind closed doors, preventing public scrutiny.

The convictions against and trial of the journalists are part of a renewed crackdown on dissent in Tajikistan, where the authoritarian government does not tolerate free speech.

All seven journalists and bloggers were arrested between May and July. Observers said the arrests were an attempt by the authorities to control public opinion following the government's deadly crackdown on protests in the restive Gorno-Badakhshan region.

Europe-based opposition activist Farhod Odinaev says the latest clampdown on independent journalists will “further spoil Tajikistan’s reputation as a repressive state that doesn’t tolerate independent media and free speech.”

In the latest conviction, a Dushanbe court on October 17 sentenced blogger Daler Imomali to 10 years in prison. He was found guilty of tax evasion, disseminating false information, and membership in the banned opposition party Group 24, which the authorities consider to be a terrorist group.

The 34-year-old pleaded guilty to tax evasion. But he has denied having any links to Group 24. The opposition party also insists that Imomali has never been a member or contributor.

Imomali’s conviction came weeks after independent blogger Muhammad Sulton, 72, was sentenced to seven years in prison. Abdulloh Ghurbati, 26, another blogger, was given a 7 1/2 year sentence.

Sulton is known for his criticism of Tajikistan’s security and intelligence services. He had also condemned the government’s violent crackdown on anti-government protests in his home region of Gorno-Badakhshan in May.

Besides Sulton, the other journalists and bloggers arrested in recent months were not openly critical of Dushanbe. They reported on local social and economic issues.

One of the bloggers, Zavqibek Saidamini, had previously said that he often received letters from Dushanbe residents about specific issues. In turn, he would present the letters to relevant officials, he said.

The video blogger insisted that “speaking about problems doesn’t mean criticizing the government.”

Chilling Effect

Courts in Tajikistan operate under the heavy influence of the government, especially in cases linked to politics, security, and the media.

Nuriddin Qarshiboev, the head of Tajikistan’s Association of Independent Media, says the “harsh” sentences handed down to independent reporters in recent weeks are aimed at quashing dissent.

“Authorities try to get the entire information space under control and don’t want to allow any alternative voice in society,” Qarshiboev said.

Some local journalists say the sentences are already having a chilling effect.

“These reporters were not even that prominent or household names,” said a journalist from the northern city of Khujand who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. “Hence, their sentencing makes everything even more worrying for us.”

“It makes me think that I must stay away from even the slightest criticism of life in Tajikistan or l will rot in prison,” the journalist added.

Gorno-Badakhshan Unrest

The arrests of the seven journalists came in the wake of the government’s crackdown on protests in Gorno-Badakhshan. Authorities said 16 people were killed, although other sources give a much higher death toll.

Among the journalists arrested were Gorno-Badakhshan natives Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva, 65, and Khushruz Jumaev, 24.

Journalist and activist Mamadshoeva was charged with calling for the overthrow of the government. She could face the maximum penalty of 25 years in prison if found guilty.

Prosecutors accuse Mamadshoeva of helping to organize the protests in Gorno-Badakhshan. But a day before her arrest on May 18, Mamadshoeva told RFE/RL that she had nothing to do with the demonstrations. Her trial began in August.

Jumaev, known by his pen name Khushom Ghulom, was charged with calling for the seizure of power by force. It is unknown if his trial has begun.

On his YouTube channel, Jumaev mostly covered nonpolitical issues like culture, history, and local languages in his home region.

Not all of the cases against the journalists and bloggers were related to the unrest in Gorno-Badakhshan.

Tajik authorities have a long-standing track record of targeting journalists and media outlets that counter the state’s narratives.

Over the years, many independent publications were shut down for criticizing government policies.

Dushanbe also often blocks or restricts access to foreign-based media outlets that focus on Tajikistan, including RFE/RL’s Tajik Service and all online media run by the opposition in exile.

The Foreign Ministry often also refuses to issue accreditation to RFE/RL reporters.

According to media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, Tajik journalists who criticize the government risk physical attacks, intimidation, and imprisonment as the authorities’ “repressive bent” intensifies “steadily.”

“Journalists find it virtually impossible to work on issues that the government considers ‘sensitive,’ without exposing themselves, or friends and family, to danger,” the watchdog said in its 2022 press freedom index.

Allegations Of Torture, Confessions Under Duress

Among the seven journalists and bloggers on trial is Abdusattor Pirmuhammadzoda. The 44-year-old has been charged with publicly calling for extremist activities.

A source close to the investigation told RFE/RL that Pirmuhammadzoda has been physically and psychologically “tortured” in custody.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said the alleged ill-treatment has left Pirmuhammadzoda depressed and bearing physical symptoms, including “bruised hands and fingernails.”

Pirmuhammadzoda’s relatives believe that the police obtained a forced confession from him.

A similar claim was made by the family of Ghurbati, the jailed blogger. They say the police pressured him to make a video statement confessing his guilt.

Meanwhile, the family of Saidamini, the blogger on trial, say they have not seen or heard from him since his arrest three months ago.

Tajik police and court officials did not respond to RFE/RL’s requests for comment.