International rights groups 24 Feb claimed Russian security services had aided Tajik counterparts in kidnapping and forcible return to Tajikistan of Tajik opposition activist Sharofiddin Gadoev, who has asylum status in the Netherlands, while he was visiting security official in Russia. During early Feb visit to Dushanbe, Russian FM Lavrov said Moscow ready to assist with modernisation of Tajik military and strengthening of border in light of continued threats from Afghan territory. Tajik foreign ministry 12 Feb said it was trying to repatriate all children born to Tajiks who travelled to Syria or Iraq to join Islamic State (ISIS), as well as women, estimated to number at least 50.

Human Rights Watch annual report 17 Jan noted negative trends in human rights in Tajikistan in 2018 with more repressive policies; urged Central Asian leaders seeking international investment to improve human rights.

In 10 Dec joint statement, embassies of UK, Germany, France, U.S., and EU delegation in Dushanbe expressed concern over govt’s blocking of online news and social media sites and urged govt to “provide for press freedom in accordance with Tajikistan’s international obligations”.

Riot broke out in high-security prison in northern city Khujand 7 Nov; Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility. Govt said 21 rioters were killed, along with two prison officers; media reported six prison guards including department chief arrested, and reported dozens of inmates killed. Court 21 Nov convicted Husein Abdusamadov of murder for July attack killing four foreign cyclists, sentenced him to life in prison. President Rahmon 16 Nov inaugurated controversial new Roghun hydroelectric power plant, longstanding source of tension with former Uzbek President Karimov. State Committee for National Security 13 Nov confirmed arrest of twelve alleged ISIS members suspected of plotting attack on Russian military base.

Trial of seventeen Tajiks charged with involvement in July killing of four foreign cyclists started 23 Oct. Amid improved bilateral ties with Uzbekistan, govt 6 Oct announced start of demining work along Tajik-Uzbek border. After President Rahmon’s mid-Sept criticism of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region leadership, govt early Oct named Yodgor Fayzov new head of oblast.

Visiting Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) bordering Afghanistan, President Rahmon 15 Sept criticised GBAO officials for failing to address criminal and drug-trafficking groups. Opposition 17 Sept said govt planning military operation in area; video footage surfaced online 19 Sept purportedly showing military equipment being transferred to region. Russian defence ministry reported it conducted counter-terrorism exercise in neighbouring Khatlon region 24-28 Sept. Scuffle broke out between govt officials attending 11 Sept meeting of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Warsaw and activists calling for release of jailed members of banned Islamic Renaissance Party.

Police 3 Aug reported detention of suspected ringleader of group behind 29 July attack which killed four foreign cyclists, and killing of four other suspects, during police operation night following attack; claimed all five suspects were members of banned Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, despite release by Islamic State (ISIS) of video showing the five swearing allegiance to ISIS. Two Tajik foresters reported killed in shooting along border with Afghanistan 26 Aug; Afghan authorities next day reported eight suspected Taliban killed in airstrike along border in Darqad district. Journalist Hairullo Mirsaidov, jailed for twelve years in July for charges he said were baseless, was freed 22 Aug. President Rahmon 17 Aug travelled to Uzbekistan, first such visit in seventeen years; signed strategic partnership agreement among others. Rahmon 24 Aug attended meeting of Central Asian leaders in Turkmenistan to discuss environmental degradation of Aral Sea (see Turkmenistan).

Court 11 July sentenced journalist Hairullo Mirsaidov to twelve years’ imprisonment for financial crimes and false reporting to police; several NGOs including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International condemned conviction, saying charges were politically motivated. Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for 29 July attack on group of foreign cyclists on road in Khatlon region in south, in which four were killed.

Border skirmishes continued as Kyrgyz border forces briefly detained three Tajik border guards 5 June following altercation in Batken province, southern Kyrgyzstan; tensions broke out when Kyrgyz citizens started trading on disputed land adjacent to Tajikistan’s Sughd district; guards were released after negotiations.

After accusations by Afghan MP in April that Taliban militants were being treated in Tajik hospitals, Tajik authorities 24 April announced cancellation of 2012 contract which allowed Afghan soldiers wounded near border to receive treatment in Tajikistan. Incidents continued at Kyrgyz border after Tajik guards entered village in Kyrgyz territory.