Tajik Opposition Warned Over Political Prisoners Claim

Rakhmatullo Zoirov, chairman of the Tajik Social Democratic Party (file photo) (RFE/RL) DUSHANBE, May 4, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Rahmatullo Zoirov, the leader of the opposition Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan, says Prosecutor-General Bobojon Bobokhonov has warned him that he may faces charges if he cannot provide proof to support his assertion that there are 1,000 political prisoners in Tajikistan.

Zoirov, who made the claim in March, said his party is preparing a report on the issue, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reported.

At the time, Zoirov cited the examples of journalist Jumaboy Tolibov, Social Democratic Party activist Fayziniso Vohidova, Democratic Party leader Muhammadruzi Iskandarov, former Interior Minister Yoqob Salimov, and Rustam Fayziev, deputy head of the unregistered Taraqqiyot Party.