The editor-in-chief of a weekly newspaper in Tajikistan's southern city of Kulob says his periodical has been suspended by authorities due to political reasons.
Ahmad Ibragim told RFE/RL on April 23 that "Paik" (News) was forced to halt operations a week ago after it published articles criticizal of the local and central government.
The head of the Information and Periodicals Directorate at Tajikistan's Culture Ministry, Saifullo Kadyrov, told RFE/RL that the newspaper had been suspended over "technical reasons."
Kadyrov said the newspaper had failed to re-register with authorities after what he said was a five-month "probation" period.
However, editor Ibragim said he and his colleagues had never been informed about such a regulation and had been unaware that the newspaper had to re-register.
Ahmad Ibragim told RFE/RL on April 23 that "Paik" (News) was forced to halt operations a week ago after it published articles criticizal of the local and central government.
The head of the Information and Periodicals Directorate at Tajikistan's Culture Ministry, Saifullo Kadyrov, told RFE/RL that the newspaper had been suspended over "technical reasons."
Kadyrov said the newspaper had failed to re-register with authorities after what he said was a five-month "probation" period.
However, editor Ibragim said he and his colleagues had never been informed about such a regulation and had been unaware that the newspaper had to re-register.
