Tajikistan: Further information: 26 year sentence for high profile murder
The murder trial of a man accused of murdering the Tajikistani President's brother-in-law took place behind closed doors in December 2012 and January 2013. Dilovarsho Qosimov was found guilty and sentenced to 26 years in prison, despite his "confessions" being reportedly extracted under torture and other ill-treatment.
Further information on UA: 220/12 Index: EUR 60/004/2013 Tajikistan Date: 20 May 2013
URGENT ACTION
26 YEAR SENTENCE FOR HIGH PROFILE MURDER
The murder trial of a man accused of murdering the Tajikistani President's brother-in-law
took place behind closed doors in December 2012 and January 2013. Dilovarsho
Qosimov was found guilty and sentenced to 26 years in prison, despite his
"confessions" being reportedly extracted under torture and other ill-treatment.
Dilovarsho Qosimov, who had been reportedly subjected to torture and other ill-treatment following his arrest in
relation to the murder of President Rahmon’s brother-in-law, was tried behind closed doors. The trial reportedly
started on 24 December 2012 and took place in the Investigation Isolation Detention Facility under the jurisdiction
of the Ministry of Justice (SIZO). He was found guilty of murder, illegal possession of arms and polygamy and
sentenced to 26 years in prison on 18 January.
Dilovarsho Qosimov’s lawyer stated that his client had been forced to incriminate himself after having been tortured
and subjected to other ill-treatment whilst in pre-trial detention. Before his trial he had retracted his "confessions".
The husband of the President’s eldest sister was found dead on 13 June 2012: he had been shot several times in
the head. Dilawarsho Qosimov was arrested on 13 July on suspicion of murder (Article 104 of the Criminal Code)
and of participation in a terrorist act (Article 179.3) after ammunition was found in a water tank at his home. He
claimed the ammunition was not his, but planted by police the third time they searched the premises. Although a
lawyer was present at the start of his first interrogation, Dilawarsho Qosimov was not allowed to see a lawyer from
16 to 21 July. According to local sources, he was badly tortured and ill-treated in the Dushanbe police temporary
detention centre, where he is still held: this included being denied food, drink or sleep, being made to stand up all
night, and being beaten on the ears. He had his nose broken and is being subjected to psychological torture
including threats to his family.
We will continue to monitor the case and develop an appropriate long-term strategy.
Many thanks to all who sent appeals. There is no need for action at this time.
This is the first update of UA 220/12. Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR60/006/2012/en
Name: Dilovarsho Qosimov
Gender m/f: m
Further information on UA: 220/12 Index: EUR 60/004/2013 Issue Date: 20 May 2013