Независимая газета: Dushanbe subdues Pamir — another confrontation between the autonomy and the centre

Nezavisimaya Gazeta article by Viktoria Panfilova (Виктория Панфилова), observer for the paper’s near-abroad politics desk, published on 28 November 2021, reports on open-ended mass protests in Khorog (Хорог), the administrative centre of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (ГБАО) of Tajikistan. The article states participants are demanding those responsible for the death of local resident Gulbiddin Ziyobekov (Гулбиддин Зиёбеков), aged 29, be held accountable.

The article reports Ziyobekov was killed on 25 November 2021 during a security-force operation; he had been accused of offences including assaulting Abdusalam Abirzoda (Абдусалам Абирзода), deputy prosecutor of the Roshtkala (Рошткалинский) district of GBAO, who, the article states, had allegedly harassed Ziyobekov’s sister. It reports that during attempts to disperse the protest, two further people died and several were wounded from disorderly security-force shooting. GBAO prosecutor Parviz Orifzoda (Парвиз Орифзода) is quoted on the regional “Badakhshan” channel stating the rally is unlawful and organised by local criminal leaders.

The article quotes Khorog-based Tajikistan expert Sofiya Musofir (София Мусофир), who cites mass unemployment and the predominance of security structures in GBAO, and Central Asia and Middle East expert Aleksandr Knyazev (Александр Князев), who references the role of Aga Khan IV (Ага-Хан IV) as a significant investor in Tajikistan. The article references prior security operations: July 2012 (23 civilian deaths reported, investigation not conducted despite UN Committee recommendations), May 2014 (a vehicle shot up in central Khorog, two dead, four seriously wounded), 2018 (elimination of informal GBAO leaders under an anti-narcotics pretext) and May 2020 (Rushan district). It reports solidarity actions in Moscow, St Petersburg, New York, London, Vienna, Bonn, Dortmund and other cities. Protesters’ demands included punishment of those responsible, restoration of communications, expanded regional self-government and withdrawal of army units.