Death of soldier: the authorities say he died of an illness the family does not believe

The body of the 19-year-old Rajabali Nazarov was handed over to his family on April 21 and his was buried in his native village in Divashtch district (Sughd province).

“Rajabali volunteered for the army in September 2020 and was serving in Khatlon province, and only five days ago he was  transferred to Murgab district in the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) for the continuation of service,” Rajabali’s relatives told Asia-Plus Thursday (April 22) afternoon.  

Rajabali’s brother, Muhriddin Nazarov, says military recruitment officers and some other officials brought brother’s body.  

The authorities say the soldier’s death was caused by severe kidney pain and several other illnesses, but relatives do not believe.  

They say Rajabali never stayed in a hospital.  Muhriddin Nazarov claims that his brother did not die of illness but was severely beaten and died as a result of brutal torture or violent death.  According to him, there were multiple bruises on Rajabali’s body. 

Muhriddin says their father and one more brother are in Russia and upon learning of Rajabali’s death, they are going to Tajikistan.

According to him, their father insists on exhumation of the body for a second examination. 

The chronic bullying problem in Tajikistan's military has been constantly criticized by the human rights organizations.   Military service is unpopular, as conscripts often complain of poor conditions and bullying.