Tajik opposition leader's family arrested

ISTANBUL

The family of Tajikistan’s main opposition leader were arrested Tuesday, according to an official from his party.

The relatives of Muhiddin Kabiri, leader of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, were detained in the western city of Faizobod, the official said on condition of anonymity.

“The detentions occurred after demonstrations in Istanbul, Bonn and Vienna by party supporters protesting the political arrests of party members,” the official added.

Many party activists have been jailed since the party was proclaimed a terrorist organization by a Tajik court on Sept. 29.

The party is the largest opposition group in Tajikistan and claimed to have received more than 40 percent of the votes in March’s general election. The official share was declared as 1.3 percent.

Founded in 1991, the party stands against the government of the President Emomali Rahmon, who has been in office since 1992.

Among the family members arrested were Kabiri’s 95-year-old father, his brother and sister, an aunt, nephew and brother-in-law. Their whereabouts are unknown.

ISTANBUL

The family of Tajikistan’s main opposition leader were arrested Tuesday, according to an official from his party.

The relatives of Muhiddin Kabiri, leader of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, were detained in the western city of Faizobod, the official said on condition of anonymity.

“The detentions occurred after demonstrations in Istanbul, Bonn and Vienna by party supporters protesting the political arrests of party members,” the official added.

Many party activists have been jailed since the party was proclaimed a terrorist organization by a Tajik court on Sept. 29.

The party is the largest opposition group in Tajikistan and claimed to have received more than 40 percent of the votes in March’s general election. The official share was declared as 1.3 percent.

Founded in 1991, the party stands against the government of the President Emomali Rahmon, who has been in office since 1992.

Among the family members arrested were Kabiri’s 95-year-old father, his brother and sister, an aunt, nephew and brother-in-law. Their whereabouts are unknown.