The Tajik government informed foreign embassies and organizations that they must give notification in advance of contacts with political parties, journalists and NGOs.

Foreign ministry spokesman Igor Satarov said the change was designed to guard against “the spread of propaganda”.

Observers say the government of this impoverished mountainous state is on the alert after popular revolts toppled regimes in three other ex-Soviet republics, including neighboring Kyrgyzstan in March.

Satarov said diplomats and international groups, including non-governmental organisations, had “considerably intensified information activities on Tajik territory”.

“Though these activities are perfectly legal and designed to promote democratic principles in Tajik society, the ministry has noted they are being used by some (Tajik) parties, NGOs, media and other people to distort information and spread propaganda.

“This could have a negative impact on information in Tajikistan, on both internal and external policies,” he said.

This is what’s known in former Soviet states as “pulling a Lukashenko.” Since embassies generally wish to stay on good terms with host countries, it often falls to reporters and non-governmental organizations to get information about activity in the country out to the rest of the world. This should rightly be viewed as an attempt by President Emomali Rakhmonov to squelch criticism and keep a lid on rising opposition parties.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Makhmadruzi Iskandarov has been released from a Russian jail and granted provisional asylum from being extradited to Dushanbe to face charges that he attempted a coup d’etat:

Iskandarov himself claims that what information he possesses indicates that four officers of the Tajik Interior Ministry and Prosecutor General’s Office (two from each structure) arrived in Moscow from Dushanbe the other day. They are supposed to find the opposition leader and take him in.

Russian Prosecutor General’s Office in its turn confirms legitimacy of Iskandarov’s release from detention cell. BBC Persian Service quoted Vasily Glushenko of the Directorate of Information as saying on April 12 that “Russia honored its legislation, Article 10 of the law on refugees.” “No person applying for the status of a refugee can be extradited from Russia before the decision on the appeal is made,” Glushenko explained. “Iskandarov did appeal for the status of a refugee.” Similar provisions exist in legislations of all civilized countries.

You see, this is how it’s done. First, crack down on those who write the news and work outside of governmental edicts. Then you can go after leaders of the opposition much easier because there are less people around to tell the story. This is a simple calculus that too many of today’s dictators just don’t understand. It’s enough to bring a tear to an old Stalinist’s eye.