No charges were filed, but both were detained for several days and were reportedly beaten and mistreated during detention. In addition, the government continues to detain without trial the former chairman of the Tajikistan State Committee on Television and Radio and three television journalists, all of whom have been held since January 1993. They have been accused of treason and of attempting to overthrow the government. However, there is no indication that a trial is upcoming. The absence of press freedom in Tajikistan is also reflected by the fact that of the six major newspapers in the country, five are government-run and the sixth receives almost all of its funding from the government.
Regional newspapers are also government-run.
Because of this extensive government control, virtually no criticism of the government appears in these publications. This lack of diversity in the media is particular disturbing in light of the upcoming presidential election, scheduled to be held on November 6, 1994. The lack of a free press, together with a continuing government ban on opposition political parties, provides little opportunity for a meaningful democratic election. As the fighting continues between the Dudayev government and opposition forces, Dudayev has intensified his efforts to suppress coverage by Russian journalists of the situation in Chechnya. On August 11, Dudayev ordered a halt to all television transmissions broadcast from Russia.