Author: Tamay Asena

Brussels (25/11 – 33.3) Tajikistan Supreme Court has sentenced a widely respected 65-year-old female journalist, Ulfathonim Mamadshoeva, to 21 years in prison on charges of incitement to overthrowing the government. Mamadshoeva was accused by the authorities of being a leading figure behind the political turbulence that rocked her native Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) earlier this year. State propaganda has previously alleged that the veteran reporter and activist hatched the purported plot, for which no credible evidence has been produced, at the behest of an unnamed foreign government. Mamadshoeva’s brother, Khursand, was last week sentenced to 18 years in prison on…

Berlin (21/09 – 40) His Excellency Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka, spoke at the General Debate of the 78th Session of the General Assembly on 21 September 2023, reflecting on the theme of ‘Rebuilding trust and reigniting solidarity’ and its relevance to Sri Lanka’s recent challenges. President Wickremesinghe said that amidst multiple global crises in 2022, his country experienced its most challenging period in recent times. “Nevertheless, we succeeded in bringing about a democratic political transition, due to our deeply entrenched and resilient democratic traditions,” he added. Turning to technological and scientific advances, he said they offer boundless new…

Berlin (22/10 – 75) UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Fernand de Varennes, reported during his trip to the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in Tajikistan, he met with representatives of civil society and residents of the region. Varennes arrived in Tajikistan for a working visit on October 9 till October 20. The UN Special Rapporteur told journalists that the residents of Gorno-Badakhshan informed him about violations of their rights in 2021-2022, particularly concerning the rights of detainees and cases of harsh treatment by law enforcement agencies. He stated, “People are complaining about religious restrictions as well as limitations on the use…

The head of the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation, Kenes Rakishev, promises to pay substantial prize money to the medalists of the Asian Games, which will be held from September 23 to October 8 in the Chinese city of Hangzhou. Bizmedia.kz reports this. Boxers who become medalists of the Asian Games will receive generous cash bonuses from the head of the Kazakh Boxing Federation Kenes Rakishev.The Kazakhstan women’s boxing team, coordinated by head coach Shamil Safiulin, is one of the first to travel to China. Before the start of the Summer Asian Games in Hangzhou, the athletes will conduct final training with…

Budapest (12/8 – 33) Mahmadzohir will theoretically be eligible to run for president in 2027. In Tajikistan, only the president is permitted to enjoy an unfettered public profile. An intriguing exception to this norm is emerging, however, with another figure amassing huge levels of apparent popularity and prominence. This person too is a member of the ruling family. Ismoil Mahmadzohir, who turned 26 last month, is the grandson of President Emomali Rahmon. His mother, Firuza, is one of Rahmon’s seven daughters. He attended the Elite British Prep School Queen Ethelburga’s College and is the CEO of IM Group. Mahmadzohir – a visually…

A business jet used by high-ranking officials and family members of the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has landed in Turkey, having taken an unusual route, the Belarusian media outlet Reform.by reported on June 24. It is not known if the Belarusian dictator was on the plane. It is also used by his sons. Reform.by cited data on the plane’s flightpath from the Radarbox service, which tracks flights. The Canadair CL-600−2B19 Challenger 850, number EW-301PJ, reportedly took off from Minsk at 00:01 local time on June 24 and landed on the Turkish Mediterranean coast in Bodrum at 05:15, having made a big…

Sweden must stop protests by supporters of outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Stockholm to get a green light on its NATO membership bid, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told NATO’s Secretary-General in a phone call on Sunday. Erdogan told Stoltenberg that Turkey had a constructive attitude, but Sweden’s change of terrorism laws to meet demands from Ankara was “meaningless” while PKK supporters hold protests in the country, the Turkish presidency said in a statement. Source : Reuters

Qatar Airways recently landed its inaugural flight to the Turkish city of Trabzon. The non-stop service is operating with the Airbus A320 aircraft three times weekly on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The new route expands Qatar Airways’ footprint in Türkiye and strengthens its global network of more than 160 destinations. Onboard QR319, the flight was celebrated by the attendance of the Ambassador of The Republic of Türkiye in Qatar, HE Mustafa Goksu. Special celebrations took place in Premium and Economy Cabins, where passengers were welcomed with special Turkish desserts, and experienced a bespoke menu in addition to being presented with…

As the mutinous Russian mercenary group Wagner barrelled towards Moscow on June 24 before aborting the insurrection, Turkey’s main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu likened the private army to Turkey’s SADAT. Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kilicdaroglu recalled how he stood in front of SADAT’s Istanbul headquarters in 2022 and made a statement. “I have repeatedly warned the government about SADAT. I have said that they want to destroy the Republic of Turkey and change its language, flag and constitution,” he said. He added: “I hope that what happened in Russia will be a lesson because Russia’s Wagner is Turkey’s SADAT Inc. I declare…

An explosion inside a mosque in north-east Afghanistan has killed 11 people and injured 30. Reports say several local Taliban officials were among those killed or wounded. A local official said the blast happened during a prayer service for the deputy governor of Badakhshan province, who was killed by a car bomb earlier this week. The Islamic State militant group said it carried out the car bomb attack. Thursday’s explosion happened at 11:00 local time in the provincial capital, Faizabad. Mourners were attending the funeral of Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi, the acting Taliban provincial governor of Badakhshan, who was killed on…