Group 24

Group 24 is a Tajik opposition movement based predominantly abroad due to repressions inside Tajikistan. The movement was founded in Moscow in 2012 by Tajik businessman and politician Umarali Quvvatov after he left Tajikistan.

Group 24 opposes the rule of the Tajik president Emomali Rahmon, accusing him of corruption and nepotism.

In early October 2014, Group leader Quvvatov called for peaceful protests to be held in the Tajik capital Dushanbe on 10 October 2014. The chances for mass protests were estimated as low by analysts who pointed at political apathy in Tajikistan and the widespread idea that protest is associated with anarchy, an idea promoted by the state.[1] Nonetheless, on 5 October 2014 Tajikistan's authorities suspended the operation of SMS systems and temporarily blocked hundreds of websites including Facebook, YouTube, and Russian-language social networks.[2] They also increased law enforcement presence in the capital; no protest ever materialized.

Furthermore, amidst the same anti-protest crackdown the Group was banned by Tajikistan's Supreme Court decision of 9 October 2014 for alleged 'extremism' with little justification but the same calls for peaceful protests inside the country.

The Group's first leader Umarali Quvvatov was assassinated on 6 March 2015 in Turkey.[3] His killing comes two days after a Tajik court sentenced another member of Group 24 to 17 years in prison for attempting to seize power and insulting the president.[3] President Rahmon's opponents have accused Tajik authorities of orcherstrating the assassination.[4] Following Quvvatov's death, the group elected Sharofiddin Gadoev as its new leader.[5]

After passing for almost one year on 31 January 2016 political committee of Group 24 hold its annual meeting. For progresing political activities of Group 24 the committee decided to do some inter staff changing. The committee elected Suhrob Zafar as head of political movement Group 24 and Khuseyn Ashurov deputy to the head of Group 24 which was published throgh media.[6]

Repressions against group members

Some Tajik activists have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their alleged association with Quvatov's group.[6][7] In March 2015, three persons were jailed in Tajikistan for alleged association with the Group, receiving sentences ranging from 16.5 to 17.5 years. In April 2015, another two persons were sent into prison for 3.5 and 3 years for alleged organization of the Group's activities inside Tajikistan.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Fears of a Tajik Maidan—A Net Assessment of the Ukraine Crisis’ Impact on the Domestic Situation in Tajikistan Since the Start of 2014, by Mark Vinson, 17 October 2014, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 11 Issue: 184, The Jamestown Foundation
  2. ↑ SMS Services Down In Tajikistan After Protest Calls - Radio Liberty, 10 October 2014
  3. 1 2 Tajik opposition leader Kuvatov shot dead in Turkey - BBC News, 6 March 2015
  4. 1 2 Tajik Activists Jailed For Ties To Banned Opposition Group - Radio Liberty, 9 April 2015
  5. ↑ Tajik Opposition Group 24 News Leaders After Quvatov's Assassination - Radio Liberty, 12 March 2015
  6. ↑ Three Arrested As Tajik Opposition Tycoon Buried In Istanbul
  7. ↑ Tajik Opposition Tycoon Quvatov Killed In Istanbul
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