Islamic Renaissance party said government targeting members after activist died in police custody 4 May; 3 police officers arrested in connection with death. Gunmen breached border and entered Kyrgyzstan, clashing with Tajik and Kyrgyz border guards; 13 reported dead. Authorities linked attack to Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and stepped up border security.

President Rakhmonov said ministries becoming “mafia clans” and urged officials to declare assets to avoid confiscation.

Court jailed 8 supporters of rebel Mahmud Khudoyberdiyev for role in 1998 armed incursion in Sogd region. Agreement signed with U.S. to increase cooperation on border security and law enforcement.

Trial of ex-commander of presidential guard Gaffor Mirzoyev on charges including plotting government overthrow resumed 14 February. Supreme Court suspended corrective labour sentence against Mukhtor Boqizoda, chief editor of opposition newspaper Nerui Sukhan.

President Rakhmonov fired 20 top government officials in major reshuffle 30 January. Head of Defence Ministry’s Military Institute shot dead days earlier in Dushanbe. Armed men attacked prison in north killing 1 and freeing suspected member of banned Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. Supreme Court upheld conviction of opposition Democratic Party head Mahmadruzi Iskandarov on terrorism and corruption charges. Closed trial began of Ghaffor Mirzoyev, former head of Presidential Guard and counter-narcotics agency. Meanwhile, prosecutors said police had arrested 99 alleged members of banned Hizb ut- Tahrir extremist group in 2005.

Opposition Islamic Renaissance Party announced plan to field candidate in November 2006 presidential election. France’s defence minister met President Rakhmonov to discuss continued presence of French troops at Dushanbe base. 8 alleged members of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan arrested in north.

New Economic Reform and Agrarian Parties registered, bringing total number of official political parties to 8. Opposition Social Democratic Party accused regime of campaign to eliminate President Rahmonov’s potential rivals ahead of November 2006 presidential poll. Independent media under pressure as government enforcing tougher registration procedures.

Supreme  Court  sentenced  Democratic  Party leader  Makhmadrouzi  Iskandarov  to  23  years  in  jail  for terrorism and embezzlement; opposition claimed charges politically motivated. U.S. Sec. State Rice met Tajik President Rahmonov to discuss bilateral cooperation. Russia announced plan to build airbase outside Dushanbe.

Trial of opposition leader Mahmadruzi Iskandarov continued; Supreme Court granted motion allowing Iskandarov to call further witnesses. Russia transferred full responsibility for security of Afghan border to Tajik forces 1 September; EU pledged assistance. Tajik authorities arrested dozen suspected members of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Sughd province and uncovered arms cache in eastern Jirgatol district.

Trial of Democratic Party leader Mahmadruzi Iskandarov on embezzlement and terrorism charges began. He retracted earlier confession, said made under duress; defence witnesses claimed having incriminated him only after torture. Police arrested alleged planners of January and June Dushanbe bombings. 9 Hizb ut-Tahrir members sentenced Dushanbe; Sughd province religious institutions purged. Mukhtor Boqizoda, editor of outspoken Nerui sukhan newspaper, sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment for stealing electricity.