In Tajikistan, the alleged organizer of an anti-government rally in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) was killed. Mamadbokir Mamadbokirov was shot dead on May 22 in Khorog, informs Tajik service of Radio Liberty.
The authorities call the deceased the head of an organized crime group and say that he was killed as a result of a criminal conflict. They write on social networks that Mamadbokirov was shot dead by a sniper from one of the law enforcement agencies, transmits Agency “Fergana”. According to independent sources of Radio Ozodi, the murder took place near Mamadbokirov’s house in Khorog.
Mamadbokirov is a former commander of the region’s self-defense forces, reintegrated into the Tajik border troops.
In my country blocked
present tense
The situation in GBAO escalated after May 14, when several hundred residents of Khorog protested and demanded the resignation of the head of the region Alisher Mirzonabot and the mayor of Khorog Rizo Nazarzoda, the removal of all checkpoints in Khorog and an end to the persecution of Badakhshan residents. After the authorities refused to consider their demands, on May 16 a large group of local youth headed towards the regional administration. The security forces used rubber bullets and tear gas against them. As a result, one person died, several people were injured, including three security officials.
On May 18, the Tajik authorities announced the start of an “anti-terrorist operation” in GBAO. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, clashes took place between government troops and local residents in the Rushan region of the country, who blocked the road to Khorog “in order to destabilize the socio-political situation.”
Tajik service of Radio Liberty with reference to local residents reports that on May 19, 21 bodies of victims of the “counter-terrorist operation” were handed over to relatives. Later a source in the police department confirmed publishing this information. A day earlier, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan reported 8 dead and 11 wounded during the “operation” in the Rushan region. According to official figures, as of May 19, the security forces detained 114 people.
There is no communication or Internet in the region, and media representatives are prohibited from entering GBAO, so it is not yet possible to verify information on the number of dead and injured in independent sources.
