DUSHANBE, August 15, Asia-Plus - Tajikistan’s Islamic Revival Party (IRPT) intends to hold a demonstration of protest against Israeli policy in Lebanon tomorrow, August 16.  

According to information from the IRPT, since the Dushanbe authorities have turned down a request from the IRPT to hold a demonstration at the “Spartak” Stadium in the center of the Tajik capital the demonstration to condemn Israeli military actions in Lebanon will be held at the party’s headquarters, located in Dushanbe near the Institute of Art.  

We will recall that Dushanbe mayor’s office has rejected the request from IRPT to hold a rally to condemn Israeli military actions at the “Spartak” Stadium” on August 19, justifying the refusal by saying that the party’s request was improperly formulated.  Besides, Shavkat Saidov, a spokesman for the Dushanbe mayor, said that Dushanbe Mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev approved a plan of preparations for marking the 15 ^th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Independence already in March this year, and rehearsals are supposed to be held at this stadium.  

Mr. Hikmatullo Sayfullozoda, a spokesman for the IRPT, has said in his interview with Asia-Plus that the refusal is “unfounded.”   According to him, the party observed all legal requirements in drawing up its request, “and allegations of the Dushanbe authorities that the request was formulated improperly are just pretext.”  

Representatives from other political parties attribute the Dushanbe authorities’ reluctance to permit holding of the demonstration to concerns about holding of mass actions in the country before the presidential election schedule for November this year.