Accessibility links

Breaking News

Official Autopsy Results Say Tajik Inmate Committed Suicide, Relatives Protest


Hamza Ikromzoda was found dead in a Tajik prison with suspicious marks on his body.
Hamza Ikromzoda was found dead in a Tajik prison with suspicious marks on his body.
DUSHANBE -- Relatives of a Tajik prison inmate who died in mid-September are questioning the official autopsy results.

Hamza Ikromzoda's family members say his body carried traces of torture, including burns caused by a hot iron.

They told RFE/RL on October 24 that they officially requested an additional autopsy from the prosecutor-general.

Lawyers for the family say they were told by the prosecutor-general's office on October 23 that the autopsy proved that Ikromzoda had hanged himself.

The lawyers say they were asked to sign papers prohibiting them from making the autopsy results public.

Earlier this month Tajik human rights organizations urged the government to thoroughly investigate Ikromzoda's death, listing six other suspicious deaths in custody.

-- RFE/RL's Tajik Service

About This Blog

"Watchdog" is a blog with a singular mission -- to monitor the latest developments concerning human rights, civil society, and press freedom. We'll pay particular attention to reports concerning countries in RFE/RL's broadcast region.

Subscribe

Journalists In Trouble

RFE/RL journalists take risks, face threats, and make sacrifices every day in an effort to gather the news. Our "Journalists In Trouble" page recognizes their courage and conviction, and documents the high price that many have paid simply for doing their jobs. More

XS
SM
MD
LG