Rahmon Sworn In For Fourth Term As Tajikistan's President

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon's victory on November 6 gave him a new seven-year term in office after 21 years in power.

Emomali Rahmon has been sworn in for his fourth term in office as Tajikistan's president.

The inauguration ceremony took place at the country's parliament on November 16.

Rahmon was reelected on November 6 with more than 83 percent of the vote.

The victory gave him a new seven-year term in office after 21 years in power.

Election observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have said the election lacked pluralism and genuine choice.

Rahmon ran against five little-known and largely loyal candidates after his only serious rival representing the opposition was disqualified.

Rahmon's government has been widely criticized for its crackdown on dissent and its tight grip on the media.

With reporting by ITAR-TASS