Tajikistan may overturn past prison sentences over social media activity
Supreme Court signals reviews of cases where citizens were jailed for 'likes' and reposts, following legal reform and public criticism
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan (MNTV) — Tajikistan’s top court has opened the door to revisiting past convictions that punished citizens for social media interactions such as “likes” and reposts, signaling a major shift in the country’s stance on digital freedom.
The announcement was made by Supreme Court Chairman Rustam Mirzozoda during a press conference on August 7 in the capital, Dushanbe.
According to a report by independent outlet Asia Plus, Mirzozoda stated that courts could reconsider cases where the only offense was online engagement, without any accompanying charges.
“While most cases involve other offenses, we are ready to review those convictions based solely on social media actions like ‘likes’ or reposts,” he said.
This development follows a new law passed in recent months that decriminalizes such online behavior. Although no appeals have yet been filed, legal experts confirm that Tajik law permits retroactive application of amendments that reduce or eliminate penalties.
Tajikistan had come under increasing criticism for its harsh internet laws. In 2018, the government expanded anti-terror and anti-extremism laws to include online activity, allowing authorities to prosecute users for simply engaging with controversial content on social media.
More than 1,500 people were jailed under these laws by 2024, many of them young users whose only “crime” was liking or sharing a post.
The turning point came in October 2024, when President Emomali Rahmon condemned the practice as “excessive and mistaken,” saying such minimal online actions should not be treated as criminal. His public statement set the stage for the recent legal reforms that formally removed criminal liability for social media engagement.
Experts believe the president’s reversal was driven by a mix of public pressure, international scrutiny, and growing concern over inconsistent legal enforcement. Ranzhet Yatimov, a Tajik legal scholar, noted that the government faced reputational risks globally and discontent domestically over the use of extreme penalties for minor online behavior.
As the amended law takes effect, attention now turns to whether those previously jailed under the old provisions will come forward to seek justice. While courts say they are ready to review such cases, it remains to be seen how many sentences will actually be overturned.
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