The city court of Vahdat deemed the actions of 23-year-old Shahboz Sharifbek falling under extremism, despite his family's claims that he was merely criticizing the conscription methods of his brother and the assault on his grandmother.
The video he published last autumn sparked widespread criticism on social media, where he condemned the conscription methods and the authorities' violence against his family members. He was arrested in October 2023, and his family revealed the court's decision in March. Despite their pleas for justice, the authorities remained silent, reflecting a growing intolerance towards dissent in Tajikistan. Critics of the government are often labeled as "traitors" and face arrests and harsh punishments under extremism charges.
The case of Shahboz Sharifbek highlights the shrinking space for criticism in the country, with dissenters facing severe repercussions.
