Law enforcement authorities have detained a man suspected of murdering a mahalla (the traditional residential neighborhood community) chairman in the Devashtich district of Sughd province.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the suspect is a 36-year-old resident of the district. He was detained in connection with the killing of 65-year-old Okhoun Rajabov, chairman of a mahalla in the Vahdat jamoat (rural municipality).
Earlier, Asia-Plus, citing local officials and residents, reported that Rajabov’s body had been discovered in a field. At the time, neither the circumstances nor the motive for the killing were known.
In a statement released on June 2, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said the crime occurred at approximately 10:00 p.m. on May 30. According to investigators, the suspect allegedly stabbed Rajabov twice with a knife while the two were inside a Musso vehicle.
The ministry said Rajabov died at the scene from his injuries.
A source familiar with the investigation, citing the suspect’s testimony, said the alleged motive was a personal conflict. According to the source, the suspect claimed that Rajabov had spread defamatory rumors about him and his wife.
Asia-Plus has not been able to independently verify these claims, and they should be regarded as allegations made during the investigation.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs said criminal proceedings have been instituted and the suspect has been placed in pretrial detention. Authorities have not disclosed under which article of the Criminal Code the case was initiated.
The position of the suspect and his relatives regarding the allegations remains unknown.
Rajabov was buried on June 1. He is survived by five children.
