Two Tajik opposition group figures—who came to the attention of international human rights groups earlier this year when they were allegedly “forcibly disappeared” from exile in Turkey and returned to Tajikistan—have reportedly been handed lengthy prison sentences after a closed-door trial in Dushanbe.

Suhrob Zafar, leader of the outlawed Group 24 opposition group that is sharply critical of Tajikistan’s Rahmon regime, and group member Nasimjon Sharifov, were convicted of "extremism" and sentenced to 30 years and 20 years in prison, respectively, sources informed RFE/RL's Tajik Service on October 17.

The sources were also reported as saying that during their final statements, both Zafar and Sharifov expressed no regret, with Zafar contending that he had neither harmed anyone nor betrayed his people. The two men are unlikely to appeal against their convictions, with Zafar indicating he was ready for prison and even death, the sources were also reported as saying.

The question of whether Turkey was complicit in the abducting of the two men and removal to Tajikistan is important as Turkey is a member of Europe’s top human rights body Council of Europe and party to the European Convention on Human Rights—any involvement of, or acquiescence by, Turkish state agents in the forcible disappearance of and potential extrajudicial transfer of Zafar and Sharifov to Tajikistan would be a case of transnational repression amounting to a serious violation of the convention, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Group 24 was founded by businessman Umarali Quvatov, who was assassinated in Turkey in 2015. The group, while underlining that its activities are peaceful, has advocated for democratic reforms in Tajikistan.