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Jailed Tajik military chief goes on hunger strike

15 Dec 2006 11:12:17 GMT
Source: Reuters

DUSHANBE, Dec 15 (Reuters) - A former top Tajik military commander, sentenced to life in prison for terrorism this year, has gone on hunger strike in protest over prison conditions, his lawyer said on Friday.

Gaffor Mirzoyev, 51, commanded state troops against Islamist rebels during the 1992-1997 civil war which killed more than 100,000 people. He later fell out of favour with President Imomali Rakhmonov and was arrested in 2004.

Mirzoyev was sentenced to life in prison on charges including terrorism, murder, and preparing an armed rebellion. His supporters called the trial politically motivated.

"Gaffor Mirzoyev went on hunger strike on Wednesday," said Mirzoyev's lawyer, Zhamilya Komilova. She said the main concern was that Mirzoyev, who has denied all charges against him, was being denied access to his lawyers and relatives.

Rakhmonov, criticised for eliminating opposition in his impoverished Central Asian state, won another seven year term in office last month in a presidential election criticised by Western observers for serious shortcomings.

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Last updated:Fri Dec 15 11:13:56 2006