After a prolonged absence of Rahmon from the public eye, some opposition representatives began to speculate about his possible illness and being under medical supervision. The presidential administration has not yet provided any information about his current condition.
This situation was exacerbated by the publication on February 6 of a photograph of Rustam Emomali, the president's eldest son and speaker of the National Assembly, in the company of leaders from several regions. On February 9, his official Facebook page featured a recommendation about the importance of raising children, which further fueled rumors about the health of the Tajik president.
The news agency "Pamir Inside" reported on February 9, citing its sources, that "Emomali Rahmon left the country at the end of January for treatment." According to these sources, Tajik security forces are on heightened alert, and this situation may last until February 12.
Repeated attempts to confirm this information have been unsuccessful. However, on February 10, an anonymous source close to the government told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that the president is on vacation and receiving treatment on the Chinese island of Hainan.
Other sources added that Rahmon flew to China on February 8.
Just a month ago, the president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in an interview regarding the health of leaders of various countries, including Tajikistan, stated that Emomali Rahmon has no health problems.
This is not the first time Emomali Rahmon has disappeared from the public sphere. In 2020, the opposition claimed that he was receiving treatment in Germany, but the authorities denied this. In 2022, after a conflict on the border with Kyrgyzstan, the president was absent from public view for two weeks.
In 2017, rumors about his health also circulated on social media, to which several government media outlets attributed his poor condition to a heavy workload.
Currently, Emomali Rahmon is 74 years old. He has been the president of Tajikistan since 1994. Two years prior, he headed the Supreme Council and effectively governed the country. Throughout his rule, he has strengthened his position and extended his term in office by repeatedly amending the constitution.
Over the years of his rule, his opponents have either left the country or been imprisoned. Many members of his family hold high government positions or manage large businesses.
