Tajik appeal court frees well-known former journalist

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcomes today’s release of Khayrullo Mirsaidov, a well-known former journalist who had been held for more than eight months, and calls on Tajikistan’s authorities to overturn his conviction.

Mirsaidov, who headed the national Comedy Club team at the time of his arrest last December, was freed after an appeal court in the northern city of Khujand today upheld his conviction but commuted his 12-year jail sentence to payment of a fine and damages.

“We are very relieved to know that Khayrullo Mirsaidov is free,” said Johann Bihr, the head of RSF’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk. “The Tajik authorities must now overturn his conviction and release their tight grip on the country’s media.”

Mirsaidov continues to be convicted on trumped-up charges of misusing public funds, forgery and defamation but the court reduced his sentence to a fine of 80,000 somoni (7,300 euros) and a levy of 20% of his salary for two years.

See RSF’s previous releases on this subject:

• Tajikistan: US, EU must press to free journalist
• Call for release of Tajik journalist sentenced to 12 years in jail