DUSNABE, November 26 (Itar-Tass) — The authorities of Tajikistan deny their restricting access to Facebook, which enjoys popularity in the republic and involves almost 50,000 users there. The head of the government communication service, Beg Zukhurov, said he had given no instructions to block Facebook.
Some media outlets reported on Monday on restrictions in access to that social networking site referring to the association of the country’s internet providers, which said they had received the instruction through SMS messages.
“I personally several times logged in to Facebook with no problems,” he said, stressing that “possibly some providers experienced some technical problems”.
Indeed, a number of providers ensure access to Facebook, including the oldest in the country Tajik Technology. “We received neither verbal nor written instructions about restrictions and we operate in a routine regime,” its representative said.
At the same time, Beg Zukhurov expressed discontent with “unchecked and inaccurate information of challenging and insulting nature aimed against the authorities” that is posted on Facebook.
“These slanderous and false reports are thoroughly checked by experts from a dedicated department,” he said, refusing to give the name of its leader or the address of that department.
For the third time this year the Tajik authorities are trying to impose censorship on the Internet, banning access to popular social networks and opposition web sites. The expert community links these measures with an increasing criticism by the opposition of the official authorities in connection with the upcoming presidential election due next year.
At the present time access is banned to such major web sites as Fergana, CentrAsia and some other sites registered in the Russian Federation.