Tajikistan’s lower house of parliament, the Majlisi Namoyandagon, has ratified the UN Convention against Cybercrime, paving the way for greater international cooperation in cybercrime investigations and the exchange of electronic evidence.
Lawmakers approved the convention on October 1. Its text was later published by Sadoi Mardum, the parliament’s official newspaper.
The document, commonly known as the Hanoi Convention, establishes a framework for international cooperation in combating crimes committed using information and communication technologies and exchanging electronic evidence related to serious crimes.
What does the convention provide?
MP Dilnoza Ahmadzoda said the UN General Assembly adopted the convention on December 24, 2024. It consists of nine chapters and 68 articles, along with an annex.
According to Ahmadzoda, its main objective is to establish a common international framework for preventing and combating cybercrime.
The convention provides for stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies, the exchange of information and electronic evidence, the seizure of criminal assets and the recovery of proceeds from crime. It is also intended to make cybercrime investigations more effective.
Ahmadzoda highlighted its relevance to internet fraud, unauthorized access to information systems, digital data theft, transnational crime and the protection of children online.
Why is international cooperation necessary?
First Deputy Prosecutor-General Umed Karimzoda told lawmakers that cybercrime frequently crosses national borders, while evidence and traces of criminal activity may be stored in different countries.
“Effective combat against cybercrime cannot be limited to the capabilities of a single state,” he said.
Karimzoda also stressed the growing importance of timely information exchange, mutual legal assistance and access to electronic evidence across jurisdictions.
He noted that the rapid development of information and communication technologies and the digitalization of the economy have created new opportunities for crime, including online fraud and the illegal use of digital data.
How did Tajikistan join the convention?
Tajikistan signed the convention at the United Nations headquarters in New York on March 17, 2026. President Emomali Rahmon subsequently submitted it to the Majlisi Namoyandagon for ratification.
Ahmadzoda said the document does not contradict Tajikistan’s Constitution, laws or other regulatory legal acts.
Lawmakers approved the ratification resolution without questions or debate.
What cybercrime schemes have been reported in Tajikistan?
Cybercrime, including the theft of money from electronic wallets, has been reported in Tajikistan for several years.
In one scheme, fraudsters call citizens under the pretext of switching to a 5G network and steal money from their bank cards and digital wallets.
In other cases, attackers have used messages such as “Is this you in the photo?” on Telegram and WhatsApp to trick users into compromising their phones and gaining access to their digital wallets.
The convention is intended to strengthen the international cooperation needed to investigate such crimes when perpetrators, victims and electronic evidence are located in different countries.