The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan began to keep records of fortune tellers, sorcerers and prostitutes

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan makes fortune tellers, sorcerers, prostitutes, their clients and loved ones in a special database for constant monitoring. This was reported by the press service of the department.

The list also includes drug addicts and other persons associated with such activities. The ministry explained the measures by the need to prevent “superstitions, divination, witchcraft”.

"They will be under constant control," the report said. Information from the database will be provided at the request of the relevant structures.

The Ministry urged citizens to “stay away” from the listed categories of persons, so as not to get themselves on a special register and “do not tarnish their name in front of children.”.

Back in August 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan announced the registration of clients of fortune tellers and sorcerers. The agency reported that citizens who addressed them will be called to the internal affairs bodies, and their photos and information about them will be entered into a special database. In April of that year, the Interior Ministry announced amendments to criminal and administrative legislation, according to which forced labor for up to six months was provided for fraud and deception of people under the guise of healers, fortune tellers, sorcerers and mascot manufacturers.

For practicing witchcraft and divination in the country, a fine of 80 to 100 calculation indices (from 6 to 7.5 thousand somoni, about 54 thousand rubles. to 67 thousand rubles) or administrative arrest for a period of ten to 15 days is provided. In case of repeated violation within a year, the punishment can range from one to two years in prison, Avesta reported.

During the first half of 2026, the Dushanbe police identified 93 cases of divination. Criminal proceedings have been instituted against five people who repeatedly engaged in such activities. Another 11 citizens were fined for using fortune tellers, the city administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.