The upper house of the Tajikistan parliament – the National Assembly – has approved the application of administrative fines for the use of services of fortune-tellers and witches.
Musavat.com reports that, according to the Tajik service of "Radio Liberty," based on the amendments made to the Administrative Offenses Code, individuals who turn to fortune-tellers and witches will be fined from 3,750 manats up to 4,500 somoni (approximately 486 US dollars).
According to the member of the National Assembly, Mahmadali Vatenzoda, the main purpose of these changes is to prevent the spread of extremist ideology in the country, as well as to curb the increase of superstition in society. The deputy stated that fortune-telling and witchcraft activities in various cases lead to the deception of people and create grounds for the strengthening of religious and social radical tendencies.
In recent years, combating informal religious practices and superstitious activities in Tajikistan has been presented as one of the priority directions of state policy.
It should be noted that in Azerbaijan, there are no direct fines or administrative responsibilities for citizens who use the services of fortune-tellers and witches. According to the current legislation, responsibility is mainly applied to persons who earn income from fortune-telling activities, engage in illegal entrepreneurship, or commit fraud. Only when this activity causes deception, material damage, psychological pressure, or other violations of law can fortune-tellers be punished under the relevant articles of the Administrative Offenses or Criminal Code. The approach in Azerbaijan in this field is based on the principle that responsibility lies with the party carrying out illegal activities, not with the citizen.
