Translated with AI
The Tajik government has submitted a proposal to parliament to introduce administrative penalties for consulting fortune tellers and sorcerers, as well as for using their services. This was reported in materials published on the Ministry of Justice's website.
According to the draft, a fine of 5 to 10 calculated units, which amounts to 375 to 750 somoni, is proposed for contacting individuals engaged in fortune telling or witchcraft.
It's worth noting that the fight against fortune tellers and sorcerers in Tajikistan has intensified in recent years. In 2024, the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that citizens who seek the services of sorcerers would be summoned to law enforcement agencies, and their photographs and personal information would be entered into a special database.
That same year, authorities toughened penalties for fortune-telling and witchcraft. The fine was increased to 80-100 calculated units (6,000 to 7,500 somoni), and administrative arrest for 10 to 15 days was introduced. Repeat offenses within a year are subject to a harsher penalty: a fine of 1,500 to 2,000 calculated units (over 110,000 to 150,000 somoni) or imprisonment for one to two years.
According to law enforcement agencies, 495 cases of magic and fortune telling were identified in the republic in the first six months of this year alone.
Authorities note that the adoption of new amendments will improve the effectiveness of the fight against such practices and reduce demand for the services of fortune tellers and sorcerers.
