Concerns remain over political and press freedom: leader of sidelined opposition Tarraqiyot party charged with insulting President Rakhmonov, while media groups continue to complain of harassment from authorities.

Tension in Dushanbe after head of Tajik drugs agency and former commander of Presidential Guard Ghafur Mirzoev arrested 6 August and sacked. Mirzoev major political player: dismissal significant move by President Imomali Rakhmonov to consolidate power. Concerns over press freedom deepened after opposition editor assaulted and 2 newspapers forced to suspend operations.

President Rakhmonov signed controversial new election law despite criticism it does not ensure independence of electoral commissions and requires high cash deposits from candidates.

Talks on status of Russian troops concluded with deal signed 4 June by presidents Rakhmonov and Putin. Russian border troops guarding Tajik-Afghan frontier to stay until 2006 - not mid-2005 as expected - while Russia’s 201st infantry division to be given permanent basing rights. Russia will also assume control of Nurek space surveillance centre. In exchange, portion of Tajikistan’s US$300 million debt to be invested in Tajik energy industry.

In anticipation of February 2005 general elections, 3 opposition parties formed coalition to challenge presidential party's grip on parliament. Alliance members said goal to ensure transparent elections. New opposition Taraqqiyot party appealed to Supreme Court after justice ministry rejected registration attempt. Leader and several members of previously unknown Islamist group, Bayat, arrested in Isfara, in northern Tajikistan - accused of murdering Baptist minister and attacking pro- government imams. Commander of Russian border guards said Tajik troops to take control of frontier with Afghanistan by May 2005.

Police detained Uzbek citizen for attempting to smuggle plutonium, likely of Russian origin, to Afghan or Pakistani buyers. Authorities rejected registration attempt by opposition Taraqqiyot party. UN narcotics agency noted huge increase in heroin trafficking through Tajikistan. Negotiations with Russia on future of Russian troop presence along Afghan border reportedly deadlocked: Tajik government said to be seeking debt write-off and US$50 million payment from Russia in exchange for permission to set up permanent Russian base in frontier area. Authorities continued arrests of alleged members of banned Hizb ut-Tahrir in south.

Former presidential guard commander, sacked in January, named head of anti-narcotics agency. President Rakhmonov has dismissed or reassigned several officials in recent weeks in bid to consolidate power. Tajik border officials continue to seek takeover of monitoring duties along Tajik- Afghan frontier from Russian troops.

Court sentenced Shamsuddin Shamsuddinov, deputy chairman of opposition Islamic Renaissance Party (IRP), to 16 years in jail on variety of charges, including organising illegal armed group during Tajikistan’s 1992-1997 civil war. IRP says charges part of crackdown on opposition and show regime’s increasing disregard for 1997 peace agreement which ended war and brought IRP into government. President Rakhmonov sacked presidential guard commander, adding to growing list of officials sacked in recent weeks.

Mamadruzi Iskandarov, head of Democratic Party of Tajikistan (DPT), dismissed as head of Tajikgas (a government post). Government blamed him for energy problems, but Iskandarov claimed decision political. Move part of continued pressure on opposition party members; DPT had been critical of June referendum on constitutional changes. Further controversy over decision by state publishing house not to print Ruz-i-Nav newspaper. Speculation that regime marking limits for opposition activity ahead of elections in early 2005.

Land mines laid by Uzbekistan along common border continue to kill and maim civilians. Two Tajiks killed and three injured while gathering wood in frontier area 4 November.