Group 24

Group 24 is a political opposition movement in Tajikistan. It opposes the rule of president Emomali Rahmon. They accuse him of corruption and nepotism.

It was founded in 2012 by businessman and politician Umarali Quvvatov.

History

Protest

On October 10, 2014, then-leader Quvvatov called for peaceful protests to be held in Dushanbe. The probability for mass protests was estimated as low by analysts who pointed to political apathy and the idea that protest is associated with anarchy, as promoted by the state.[1] On 5 October, authorities suspended the operation of SMS systems and temporarily blocked hundreds of websites including Facebook, YouTube and Russian-language social networks.[2] They increased law enforcement presence in the capital. No protests materialized.

National ban

Amidst the government crackdown, Group 24 was banned by Tajikistan's Supreme Court on 9 October for alleged extremism. Little justification was provided other than Group 24's continued calls for peaceful protests..

Former members of the group called for the country's supreme court to remove the party from the list of banned extremist groups,[3] arguing that the group poses no threat.[4]

Assassination

Quvvatov was assassinated on 6 March 2015 in Turkey.[5] His death came 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.[5] President Rahmon's opponents accused authorities of orchestrating the assassination.[6] Following Quvvatov's death, the group elected Sharofiddin Gadoev as its new leader.[7]

Repression

Some Tajik activists were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their alleged association with Group 24.[8][9] In March 2015 three people received sentences ranging from 16.5 to 17.5 years. In April, 2015, another two people were sent to prison for 3 and 3.5 years for the alleged organising of Group 24 activities.[6]

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. https://www.eng.cisatc.org/139/1281/8994
  4. "Tajikistan Urged To Lift Ban On Opposition Group 24, Leader Suspects Pressure". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty.
  5. Tajik opposition leader Kuvatov shot dead in Turkey - BBC News, 6 March 2015
  6. Tajik Activists Jailed For Ties To Banned Opposition Group - Radio Liberty, 9 April 2015
  7. Tajik Opposition Group 24 News Leaders After Quvatov's Assassination - Radio Liberty, 12 March 2015
  8. "Three Arrests As Tajik Oppositionist Buried". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty.
  9. "Tajik Opposition Leader Killed". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty.
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