Tajikistan to Impose Jail Time for Illegal Power Consumption

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Tajikistan’s New Law Imposes Heavy Penalties for Electricity Theft

DUSHANBE: In a significant move amid ongoing energy hardships, Tajikistan has enacted new legislation that imposes prison sentences of up to 10 years for the illegal use of electricity. This decision comes as the nation faces a prolonged energy crisis, exacerbated by chronic water shortages affecting its infrastructure.

Due to outdated energy systems and increasing demand, electricity consumption in Tajikistan is restricted for approximately six months each year.

On Saturday, the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources announced that individuals found attempting to tamper with or bypass electricity meters will be charged with criminal offenses. The announcement was notably covered by independent news outlets only on Monday, reflecting the government’s tight control over media coverage.

The newly established regulations indicate that anyone disconnected from or trying to manipulate an electricity meter could face severe consequences, including hefty prison sentences. President Emomali Rakhmon, who has been in power since 1992, leads the country that was once part of the Soviet Union.

Earlier this month, Justice Minister Rustam Shoemurod expressed concern over individuals who alter meter readings to evade payments, stating that such actions "seriously undermine the nation’s economic interests."

Tajikistan relies heavily on hydroelectric power, which accounts for roughly 95% of its electricity production. However, a persistent lack of water has resulted in regular power outages nationwide.

In March, President Rakhmon voiced his worries over the inefficient use of electricity in a country where the average salary is less than $240 per month. He has been advocating for the expansive Rogun hydroelectric power plant as a possible remedy to the energy crisis. Originally proposed in the 1970s during the Soviet era, the project has faced numerous delays due to the dissolution of the USSR and the civil war in Tajikistan during the 1990s. Despite reviving the plan in the 2000s, costs have soared to over $6 billion.