Азаттык Азия: В TJ расследуют смерть срочника Азимзода

Azattyq Asia (Russian edition), 16 April 2026. The article reports that the Military Prosecutor’s Office of Tajikistan has opened an investigation into the death of 25-year-old border-troops serviceman Isrofil Azimzoda (Исрофил Азимзода), who died approximately two weeks after starting service. His funeral took place on 14 April in his home Rudaki district (район Рудаки). The article reports that relatives believe the cause of death may have been beatings, while official bodies have not commented. According to the article, on 15 April, relatives of Azimzoda invited Radio Ozodi (Радио Озоди) journalists to his home in Navobod village (село Навобод) but later declined comment, citing pressure from an unidentified person. The article reports that one anonymous relative said Azimzoda voluntarily entered the army on 1 April and was admitted to hospital in serious condition on 9 April, dying in intensive care on 13 April. The article reports the family was told the serviceman allegedly threw himself from the fourth floor, but relatives do not believe this version, and quotes the relative saying: “Before his death in hospital, he pointed to several soldiers and said it was they who beat him.” The article reports that another relative said the body was brought home at around 2 a.m. with demands for a speedy burial; after objections, an imam said nothing could be changed and he was buried at around 4 a.m. The article reports that journalists could not obtain official comment, but a source in the Military Prosecutor’s Office told Radio Ozodi the investigation continues and several servicemen are suspected of involvement in beating and mistreatment; per the source, after the incident the soldiers were brought to the hospital and Azimzoda identified three or four as those who beat him, as well as those who insulted him. The article reports Azimzoda grew up without a father, is survived by his wife and a six-month-old daughter, and his mother’s condition worsened after news of his death. The article cites Tajikistan’s Ombudsman data that 40 service deaths were recorded in the army in 2023, of which 8 were classified as suicides and 6 as death by illness.