The key facts
- Tajikistan's Interior Ministry is creating a special database to monitor fortune tellers, their clients and family members
- For fortune telling — a fine of 80–100 calculation indicators or arrest for 10–15 days; for a repeat offense — up to two years of imprisonment
- In the first half of 2026, 93 cases were identified in Dushanbe and five criminal cases were opened
Special Registry Under Constant Monitoring
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan is forming a special database for constant monitoring of fortune tellers, sorcerers, prostitutes, their clients and their family members. This was reported by the ministry's press service. The registry also includes persons involved in drug-related activities and other categories. The Interior Ministry explained the measures by the need to prevent superstition, fortune telling and sorcery. According to the ministry, persons included in the database will be under constant monitoring, and information about them will be provided upon requests from relevant authorities. The Interior Ministry also urged citizens to stay away from representatives of the listed categories, so as not to end up in the registry themselves and not harm their reputation before their family.
Previous Initiatives and Liability
In August 2024, the Interior Ministry of Tajikistan had already announced the start of registering fortune tellers and sorcerers: at that time it was reported that citizens who turned to them would be summoned to police departments, and their photographs and personal data would be entered into a special database. In April 2026, it was proposed to strengthen liability for fraud or deception under the guise of healers, fortune tellers, sorcerers and amulet makers — up to compulsory work for a term of up to six months.
Sanctions and Statistics
For sorcery and fortune telling, Tajikistan provides for a fine of 80–100 calculation indicators or administrative arrest for 10–15 days. For a repeat offense within a year — imprisonment for a term of one to two years. According to the Interior Ministry, in the first half of 2026, 93 cases related to fortune telling were identified in Dushanbe: criminal cases were opened on five repeat cases, and another 11 citizens were fined for using the services of fortune tellers.
