News websites blocked in Tajikistan
President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon at the BRICS summit in Ufa, July 2015 (Image: Press Service of the Russian President under a CC licence)
12 May 2016
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Elise Morton
Access to a number of local and international news websites has been blocked in Tajikistan.
Various news sites, including websites run by the Asia-Plus news agency, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service and the Ozodagon news agency, have been inaccessible in Tajikistan since 10 May, following an order to internet service providers and mobile operators to block access to the sites.
The State Communications Service, having been contacted by the Asia-Plus, stated that they were not behind the access issues. Deputy Head of the Communications Service, Ms. Adolat Abdurahmonzoda, affirmed that the agency’s specialists would establish the cause of the blocking and inform media outlets of the outcome.
It has been speculated that the access issues may be related to Tajikistan’s upcoming referendum on constitutional amendments which, if passed, would see incumbent President Emomali Rahmon permitted to run for office an indefinite number of times.
Source: Asia-Plus
