Facebook blocked in Tajikistan

The Tajik authorities blocked access to the social network Facebook.

As reported by the largest companies in the country to provide

Internet services "Tajik Technology", all nine ISPs  received a

written instruction from the head of government communications service

Bek Zuhuro, who just  a few hours ago categorically denied blocking

Facebook.

"Yes, we did block access to the full Facebook, finally, the decision

to , as this deciions receinved great public support",  admitted

Zukhurov.  "Last two hours I received 100 calls from people who gladly

accepted the news of the closure of access to Facebook, and only ten

people took it negatively, "  ITAR-TASSquotes the head of

communication services in Tajikistan.

"The best of the public are tired of the stream of mud and slander in

various internet sites," among these people are "academics, PhD, major

cultural figures," said Zukhurov, while refusing to name at least one

name.

In Tajikistan, the number of users of the social network is about

50,000 people, mostly young people. Three times this year authorities

blocked a number of major online resources, including Facebook. Online

community and Tajik independent experts called the new restrictions

another attack of the government on the  free speech and another step

to political censorship. Increased pressure on the media and Internet

censorship, experts say, are connected with the upcoming  presidential

elections next year and sharp criticism of the authorities and the

president by the opposition.