DUSHANBE , August 8, Asia-Plus  -- The Dushanbe mayor’s office has refused to give Tajikistan ’s Islamic Revival Party (IRPT) permission to hold a demonstration of protest against Israel ’s actions in Lebanon at the “Spartak” Stadium in Dushanbe .   

Shavkat Saidov, a spokesman for the Dushanbe mayor, has told Asia-Plus that the mayor’s office justified the refusal by saying that Dushanbe Mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev approved a plan of preparations for marking the 15 th anniversary of Tajikistan ’s Independence in March this year, and rehearsals are supposed to be held at this stadium.  

 According to Shavkat Saidov, the IRPT administration has been informed of the refusal.