A convict serving a long jail term has escaped from Khujand high-security penal colony.
According to the Sughd law enforcement authorities, the convict, who is resident of the northern city of Isfara, escaped from the Khujand penal colony yesterday evening. The source refrained from giving further details of the incident.
It is already the second jailbreak in Khujand over the last six months.
A failed jailbreak by three convicted extremists took place in Khujand on June 17, 2016. One inmate was killed during the escape, one was wounded and recaptured at the scene, and one was caught a few days later. Jamaat Ansarullah claimed responsibility for that jailbreak.
Recall, Ramzullokhon Dodokhonov, Habibjon Yusupov, and Mirzo Qayumov tried to break out of the jail in Khujand on June 17. A 52-year-old Colonel Yormamad Alimamadov was stabbed to death during the escape.
Two of the fugitives – Dodokhonov and Qayumov – were serving their long jail terms for fighting alongside Islamist radicals abroad. Dodokhonov was sentenced to 20 years in jail in 2013 for participating in militant activities in Pakistan’s tribal region of Waziristan and Qayumov was serving a 14-year jail term for fighting alongside Islamist radicals in Iraq.
The third escapee — Habibjon Yusupov — was sentenced to 20 years in jail in 2014 for participation in the robbery of a money exchange point that culminated with the death of an employee.
Qayumov was shot dead by guards as he was trying to flee. Yusupov was wounded and detained. Dodokhonov incurred injuries too, but managed to escape. He was detained on June 19.
The fugitives were reportedly plotting to cross over to Afghanistan and possibly attempt to join the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.
