Arbitrator from Sughd faces authorities misuse charges

KHUJAND, October 3, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- The trial of Ms. Muhabbat Jourayeva, chairperson of arbitration in Sughd province also lawyer for the Legal Support Center for Sughd Journalists and chairperson of the Human Rights Center “Your Lawyer,” began at the end of last week.

The chairperson of the Shahriston district court, Ms. Khursheda Sanginova, who was presiding over the trial, says Jourayeva faces charges of misuse of authorities by employees of commercial and other organizations (Article 295) and misuse of authorities by auditors, arbitrators, notary officer or lawyer (Article 296).

According to her, Ms. Jourayeva was considering cases that were outside competence of arbitrations.  Ms. Jourayeva challenged the judge; her request was answered and the case was transferred to the regional court.

Jourayeva herself considers that the case instituted against her was ordered, “because judicial bodies do not want to see alternative court.”

It is to be noted that Ms. Jourayeva is the defense lawyer of the Nouri Zindagi correspondent Mahmadyusuf Ismoilov, who is charged with inciting religious and racial hatred (article 189 of the criminal code), blackmail (Article 250), defamation (Article 135) and insult (Article 136) for what he wrote in various publications including the newspaper Nouri Zindagi about alleged corruption by local judicial and political officials.