DUSHANBE , January 24, Asia-Plus -- “Activity of primary organizations of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) is currently under strict control of the party’s leadership,” Hikmatullo Sayfullozoda, a spokesman for the IRPT, said in his interview with Asia-Plus.   

According to him, it follows a statement by Tajik Minister of Interiors, Khumdin Sharipov, that the IRPT members have allegedly had contacts with the “Hizb ut-Tahrir” organization. 

On January 19, Khumdin Sharipov speaking to journalists noted that there were several cases when members of Tajikistan ’s Islamic Revival Party were detained with arms that had been handed over to them by representatives from the “Hizb ut-Tahrir” organization.

            “We can not yet either deny or confirm these cases and our task is to find out what is the reason for this and how could it happen?” 

At present, according to him, they are probing in the possibility of such contacts between the party’s members and representatives from the “Hizb ut-Tahrir” organization.  “There is direction in our party that our members should not have any contacts with the “Hizb ut-Tahrir” party,” Mr. Sayfullozoda said, noting that the IRPT does not recognize activity of this organization because firstly, this party is not registered as religious organization in any of Muslim countries and secondly, it is illegal.  

“If collaboration between members of the IRPT and representatives from the “Hizb ut-Tahrir” organization is confirmed, we will just expel these members from the party,” Mr. Sayfullozoda concluded.