VERDICT AGAINST TAJIK "TERRORISTS" QUESTIONED.

Human Rights Watch yesterday made public an appeal it has sent to Tajik President Imomali Rahmonov, asking him to commute the death sentences recently handed down by Tajikistan’s Supreme Court against six "terrorists." Human Rights Watch expressed concern that "political considerations" may have contributed to the court’s decision. The organization pointed in particular to "political connotations" with regard to the main figure in the case, Abdulhafiz Abdullaev, brother of former Prime Minister Abdumalik Abdullajonov. The latter leads the National Revival movement, in opposition to the Dushanbe government. (Itar-Tass, April 2)

The six, part of a larger group of Leninabad region residents accused of terrorism, were sentenced to death on March 12. (See Monitor, March 13) They all appear to be supporters of Abdullajonov’s movement, which seeks to represent Leninabad region’s interests and a role in power-sharing arrangements. The central government in Dushanbe has thus far virtually excluded Leninabad representatives from the negotiations toward power-sharing.

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