DUSHANBE, June 16, 2012, Asia-Plus — Police in Dushanbe have dismissed reports suggesting several suspects have been arrested in connection to this week”s assassination of President Emomali Rahmon”s brother-in-law. And while officials decline to comment on possible motives behind the high-profile slaying, local media and experts have begun to speculate about whether the crime was linked to business, politics, or the president.
Two days after the killing of a brother-in-law of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, police in Dushanbe say little is known about who carried out the assassination and why, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reported on June 15.
According to RFE/RL, Kholmumin Safarov”s body was buried on June 15 in the southern district of Danghara, the first family”s home region.
Safarov, the husband of Rahmon”s eldest sister, was found dead after being shot multiple times near his Dushanbe home. The shooting is reported to have occurred as Safarov was returning home from evening prayers at a nearby mosque.
Police say Safarov was shot in the head, chest, and stomach. Tajikistan”s Interior Ministry has offered a financial reward for those who help to find the assailants. The ministry, however, did not disclose the amount of money it was prepared to pay.
Safarov, 57, had served as chief of the Tajik government”s State Forests and Hunting Agency since 2009.
