DUSHANBE, September 19, 2014, Asia-Plus — Relatives of a Tajik taxi driver allegedly slain by Russian soldiers in August near Dushanbe say they fear the attackers will never face justice.
Relatives of Rahimjon Teshaboyev told RFE/RL on September 18 that a Russian investigator told them the two suspects are being transferred to Moscow for psychiatric tests.
The relatives say they think the alleged attackers — deputy platoon commander Fyodor Basimov and former unit commander Ildar Sakhapov — may never return to Tajikistan for trial.
Tajik authorities, as well as Russian officials at the suspects” base in Tajikistan, say both men confessed to killing Teshaboyev.
Tajikistan”s Interior Ministry says an argument about money may have prompted the slaying, which has fueled tensions between locals and Russian troops in Tajikistan.
There are about 7,000 Russian soldiers deployed at three different sites that are part of the Russian base in Tajikistan.
