DUSHANBE , January 20, Asia-Plus - The appeals court of Tajikistan’s Supreme Court has upheld the sentence passed by the Supreme Court Criminal Board on Mahmadruzi Iskandarov, leader of Tajikistan ’s Democratic Party (DPT) and former head of Tajik state gas concern “Tojikgaz”.    

We will recall that on October 5, 2005 , Tajikistan ’s Supreme Court sentenced Mahmadruzi Iskandarov to 23 years’ imprisonment following his conviction on charges of terrorism, embezzlement of state funds, and the illegal possession of weapons.  The court also stripped Iskandarov of all previous state honors and awards, including revoking his military rank of Major-General.

In the meantime, the DPT deputy head, Rahmatullo Valiyev, has told Asia-Plus that their party denounces the appeals court’s ruling and will appeal to international judicial bodies.