Tolibbek Ayombekov, who is considered one of informal leaders in the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), says GBAO authorities have no claim on him, except for unpaid loan of TJS 50,000. The Prosecutor-General’s Office says no criminal proceedings have been instituted against informal leaders in GBAO.
“I’ve just got a 50,000 somoni (TJS) loan to repay. Except for this unpaid loan, the GBAO authorities have not claim on me,” Ayombekov told Asia-Plus today by phone.
According to him, he went to the GBAO regional prosecutor’s office in Khorog, the administrative center of GBAO, on October 22 to ask on what grounds he had been described as leader of organized criminal group.
“They said they have no claim on me, with the exception of unpaid bank loan of 50,000 somoni. I promised to repay the loan in the near future,” Ayombekov noted.
Citing a statement by security officials, Khovar news agency reported on October 20 that 186 firearms, including 72 Kalashnikov assault rifles, three sub-machineguns, two grenade launchers, 37 pistols, one anti-aircraft unit, 47 types of other weapons, 36 hand grenades, more than 4,700 bullets of different caliber and 900 grams of explosives have been confiscated from illegal armed groups under control of Tolibbek Ayombekov, Yodqor Mamadaslamov, Mamadboqir Mamadboqirov, Khursand Mazorov and Munavvar Shanbiyev. These five men were described as leader of organized criminal; groups.
Meanwhile, the press center of the Prosecutor-General’s Office of Tajikistan says no criminal proceedings have been institute against those five men to date.
“We are currently examining some reports about involvement of these persons in some crimes,” the source added.
Tolibbek Ayombekov is considered one of informal leaders in region.
In July 2012, members of Ayombekov's alleged gang were accused by the authorities of killing GBAO regional security chief, General Abdullo Nazarov. At the time of the killing, Tolibbek Ayombekov was the commander of the Ishkashim border detachment; he was subsequently accused by the government of being a tobacco and gem smuggler after Nazarov was dragged from his car, in the area near Khorog, and stabbed to death.
Tolibbek’s brother Oqil Ayombekov along with his driver, Hamza Murodov, were accused of involvement in the murder of Nazarov. In August 2012, Oqil Ayombekov and Hamza Murodov voluntarily surrendered to the local law enforcement authorities and were sentenced to 17 and 16 year in prison, respectively.
