Chronic power shortages amid continued frigid weather caused humanitarian crisis but little popular unrest; led to 7 Feb cabinet reshuffle but energy sector chiefs not dismissed. Riot police commander Colonel Oleg Zakharchenko killed 4 Feb in Garm firefight with district’s organised crime squad chief Mirzohoja Akhmadov, former United Tajik Opposition leader during civil war.

Further religious restrictions introduced at Islamic University 11 Jan following earlier ban on women wearing hijabs. Russia shifted position on Indian fighter jet deployment to Tajik air base; now opposed. Widespread power shortages expected as Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan cut supplies. Senior Islamic Renaissance Party member Shamsuddin Shamsuddinov reportedly died of cancer in prison 31 Jan.

3 Tajik citizens accused of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan membership sentenced 25 December to between 10 and 17 years for terrorism and attempting to overthrow government.

Explosion near presidential palace 14 November years. Talks focused on economic cooperation including cross-border rail freight service and possible West Sea shared fishing ground, but defence ministers at end November Pyongyang talks unable to agree on sea zone.

Khatlon regional authorities instructed imams to stop students from attending mosque prayers, citing school absence. Culture ministry ordered 3-month suspension of Jehovah’s Witness and 2 other Christian organisations’ activities, citing rejection of military service.

2 former Guantanamo detainees sentenced 17 years by Dushanbe court on charges of serving as mercenaries for Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. President approved new internet libel law; media said would be used to silence dissent. New religious restrictions introduced, including religious tests for imams in Dushanbe and ban of Mavlavi group in east.

Trial of 14 suspected IMU members continued in Sughd province. Authorities announced 23 July had foiled attacks on Dushanbe with arrest of 7 suspected IMU members over last 6 months. UN Tajikistan Office of Peacebuilding (UNTOP) ended 7-year mission 31 July.

Parliament approved presidential amnesty, marking tenth anniversary of end to civil war, reducing prison sentences for many former opposition combatants. Law will not affect those serving life sentences, or for terrorism, multiple murders, abductions or human trafficking. Explosion outside Supreme Court 16 June; Dushanbe chief prosecutor suggested it was terrorist attack.

Alleged Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan member Mirzoqodir Muminzoda sentenced to 11 years prison 8 May for terrorism, criminal activity and attempting to overthrow constitutional system.

Arrests and convictions of alleged Islamist radicals continued in Northern Sughd province: 10-year sentence for suspected Hizb ut-Tahrir member; 18-19 years for 3 suspected Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) members; 7 years to life for further 11 IMU members. Charges include bomb attacks and border incursions.