In Tajikistan, the Minister of Defense and the Attorney General have been dismissed from their positions.

Sherali Mirzo has led the Ministry of Defense since 2013, and he has now taken the position of head of the Main Directorate for the Protection of State Secrets under the government. This can be seen as a significant demotion. The head of the Communication Service, Beg Sagur, who has held his position since 2011, has been retired. Attorney General Yusuf Rahmon served for 10 years, and according to the official announcement, he will be reassigned to another role. The resignations occurred on January 23.

The children of Yusuf Rahmon and Sabur are married to the daughters of the 72-year-old President Rahmon. Thus, the dismissed officials are related to the president by marriage, notes the Tajik service of RS. Experts link these dismissals to a potential power transition process in the republic. Rahmon has been in charge of the country since 1994.