Tajikistan (Web Desk) — The Central Asian country Tajikistan has decided to maintain its ban on the popular video game series Grand Theft Auto (GTA), making it clear that the upcoming sixth edition will also not be available in the country.
Tajik authorities say that the GTA series highlights violence, theft, murder, and criminal activities, which could have negative effects on young people.
According to reports, Tajikistan imposed a ban on several video games, including Counter-Strike, in 2024. Officials from the Ministry of Interior said that the content of these games does not align with national values and may encourage crime.
Authorities have so far given no indication that the government is considering lifting the ban before the expected release of GTA 6 on November 19, 2026.
The report states that Tajikistan is not the only country with restrictions on GTA and violent video games. Thailand has maintained a complete ban on the GTA series since 2008, while some other countries, including Malaysia, have also imposed various restrictions on violent games.
Similarly, countries such as Germany, Australia, and some Middle Eastern nations have censorship or regulations for video games containing crime, drugs, or other sensitive content.