Tajikistan’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Ramazon Rahimzoda, has condemned the death of 15-year-old Khusrav Odinayev, allegedly tortured by his father, as “a monstrous crime.” The tragic case, which has sparked public outrage, is now being handled by the Prosecutor General’s Office.
At a news conference on August 7, Minister Rahimzoda confirmed that Parviz Odinayev, the teenager’s father and a resident of Tursunzoda, has been arrested. Despite attempts to conceal the crime, law enforcement authorities were able to apprehend the suspect.
Askarjon Abdurasoulzoda, head of the Ministry’s Investigative Department, stated that criminal proceedings have been instituted against Parviz Odinayev under Article 110 (3) of Tajikistan’s Penal Code — intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm. The charge carries a sentence of 12 to 15 years in prison.
Parviz Odinayev is currently in custody. Custody of his other children has been transferred to their mother, Farzona Sharif.
The death of Khusrav Odinayev provoked widespread public concern, particularly after a disturbing video surfaced online. In the footage, allegedly recorded by the father himself, Odinayev is seen demanding a confession from his son over the theft of 600 somonis, accusing him of using nasway (a local tobacco product), and issuing threats of violence.
According to earlier reports by the Interior Ministry, on July 26, Odinayev accused his son of stealing 800 somonis in May and an additional 600 somonis in July. In a brutal attempt to extract a confession, he tied the boy's legs and dragged him behind a car.
In an interview with Asia-Plus, the boy's mother, Farzona Sharif, confirmed that the torture did take place in a remote area. However, she denied claims that her son had been kept in a basement. She also noted that “over the past six months, my son really had become unruly.”
