The parents of Rukhshona Hakimova, a Tajik journalist who was sentenced to 8 years in prison in February this year on charges of “treason,” sent a letter to the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, requesting his assistance in securing the release of their daughter.

A copy of the letter, sent on behalf of Zokir Hakimov and Makhsouda Sharopova, was published on May 3 on social media.

The letter states that Rukhshona Hakimova grew up in a healthy environment in a family of teachers, "with respect and love for national values, the spirit of patriotism, and humanism."

Zokir Hakimov, a distinguished figure in education and science in Tajikistan, former director of schools No. 2 and No. 5 in the city of Konibodom, a government employee, and a former member of the city council of Konibodom, is a 2nd group disabled person. Makhsouda Sharopova is a teacher of the highest category at Lyceum No. 1 and a retired educator.

The parents of Rukhshona noted that she graduated from high school and university with honors and was a recipient of the presidential scholarship.  Rukhshona was proud of her chosen profession, and all her activities were in line with the laws of the country, they emphasized.

“We, as parents, can confidently say that our daughter, Rukhshona, would never betray the country, as she grew up in a family of teachers (both parents are teachers, currently disabled and retired, and have been educating the younger generation for over 40 years)," the letter says.

"We respectfully appeal to you and implore you, as the Supreme Leader of the Nation, to take steps to secure her release and pay attention to her children, who are in need of maternal care and love," the letter further states.

As it had been reported earlier, the Supreme Court of Tajikistan sentenced Rukhshona Hakimova, a 31-year-old independent journalist who has worked for a variety of media outlets, to eight years in prison on February 5.  The sentence followed her conviction on charges of aiding in the crime of treason using official position (Article 305, Part 2).

The charge of treason against Hakimova stems from a public survey she conducted on China's influence on Tajikistan as part of her work as a reporter last year.  Hakimova’s case may be linked to her survey on “China’s Influence on Tajikistan", which was previously answered by several individuals convicted in the "coup plot" case, including Saidjafar Usmonzoda, former head of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan, sentenced to 27 years in prison, and Shokirjon Hakimov, sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Rukhshona Hakimova is an independent journalist and mother of two small children.  Rukhshona Hakimova is the niece of Shokirjon Hakimov, lawyer and the Frist Deputy Chairman of the Social-Democratic Party of Tajikistan (SDPT).   He was sentenced on 18 years in prison.  He was charged with incitement of social, racial, national, regional, or religious hatred (Article 189, Part 2) and treason using official position (Article 305, Part 1, item "v").

The Reporters without Borders (RSF) noted in its statement released on February 28 that the investigation into Rukhshona Hakimova’s case was marred by irregularities, and her trial was unfair. 

A statement released by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders on March 3, in particular, says Ms. Hakimova's prosecution, criminalization, and arbitrary detention stem from her professional work, specifically her involvement in conducting a politically sensitive poll about China’s influence in Tajikistan for the Kyrgyz NGO Barometer.  This survey reportedly included interviews with prominent political figures “who are part of the opposition and who have also faced increasing pressure from the Tajik authorities.”  

Around 130 women-mothers from Tajikistan sent an appeal to President Emomali Rahmon in early March, requesting leniency for Rukhshona Hakimova.  The signatories express deep concern, primarily because Rukhshona’s two young daughters have been left without their mother at home.  The younger child was still being breastfed.