DUSHANBE, August 29, Asia-Plus  -- Defense lawyers of the former head of Tajikistan’s presidential guards and the former director of the country’s counternarcotics agency Ghaffor Mirzoyev have appealed to the appeals court of the Supreme Court over the latter’s verdict against their client. 

One of Mirzoyev’s defense lawyers, Abduqayum Yusufov, has told Asia-Plus that they denounce the ruling.  He noted, “Only after receiving the verdict copy, which we have not yet received, we will be able to ground our appeal.” 

Mr. Yusufov has also said that Ghaffor Mirzoyev was transferred from the pretrial detention facility of the Ministry of Security to the detention center of the Ministry of Justice.  According to him, the amnesty declared in the country on occasion of the 15 ^th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Independence will not apply to his client.  

We will recall that on August 11, the Supreme Court sentenced Ghaffor Mirzoyev to life in prison.  The sentenced followed his conviction on charges of illegally crossing border, planning a coup, murder, abuse of office, etc.  Ghaffor Mirzoyev did not plead guilty to any of the charges brought against him.  Fifteen military officers also received sentences, ranging from five to 16 years, for their role in the alleged coup plot in January 2004.