Asia-Plus: Seven most high-profile crimes in Tajikistan in 2024

On 26 December 2024 Asia-Plus published a year-in-review feature listing the seven most high-profile crimes in Tajikistan in 2024. 1) Bombing of the car of Salim Sayvalizoda (Салим Сайвализода), head of the NDPT (ruling party) in the Kulyab region, in the village of Tudakafsh in early January; the article reports eight arrests, with two suspects charged under Articles 179 (terrorism) and 307 (public calls for violent overthrow of the constitutional order) of the Criminal Code. 2) The 15 January knife attack on taxi driver Ziyoviddin Bekov (Зиёвиддин Беков) in Dushanbe’s “Yakkachinor” neighbourhood over a 37-somoni fare; attacker identified in late July as Abdujabbor Goziev (Абдуджаббор Гозиев), already serving time for theft. The article states Bekov lost his sight and one arm was paralysed. 3) The March Supreme Court sentencing of Abduhalil Holikzoda (Абдухалил Холикзода), author of “Ҳаводиси рӯзгори ман”, to 9 years plus a 76,800-somoni fine; editor Rustam Abdukodir got 4.5 years, publisher Sukhrob Rajabzoda 1 year. 4) The 22 March Crocus City Hall attack in Krasnogorsk near Moscow (150+ dead); four Tajik citizens detained in Bryansk, coordinated via internet with “Vilayat Khorasan” (the Afghan wing of ISIS per Russian services); mass raids, detentions and deportations of Tajik citizens in Russia followed. 5) A series of family murders in Kanibadam totalling 23 dead across seven families; on 8 August First Deputy Interior Minister Abdurakhmon Alamshozoda (Абдурахмон Аламшозода) said only four family-murders had occurred. The article names the Nematov family (6 killed on the night of 9 December including Naimjon Nematov found hanged), and victims found on 16 December in Hisorak — Gaibullo Majidov (35), his wife Zarnigor (28), Oyisha Shokirova (70) and her son Javlon Shokirov. Sogd province governor Rajabboi Ahmadzoda (Раджаббой Ахмадзода) met activists; four suspects (Solehjon Khudoyberdiev, Ahajon Tukhtaev, Bakhtier Ravshanov, Manuchehr Odilov) were detained on 21 December. 6) A treason/coup trial opened 14 November against Saidjafar Usmonzoda (Саидджафар Усмонзода, former chair of the Democratic Party, detained 14 June), Akbarsho Iskandarov (ex-Supreme Council chair), Hamrokhon Zarifi (ex-Foreign Minister), Shokirjon Hakimov (SDPT deputy chair) and Ahmadsho Komilzoda (journalist). Held behind closed doors. 7) 11 September attack on Saidmukarram Abdulkodirzoda (Саидмукаррам Абдулкодирзода), head of the Council of Ulema, outside a Dushanbe mosque after evening prayers; wound described as light. Sources cited: Ministry of Internal Affairs, Prosecutor General’s Office, Russian special services.