DUSHANBE, August 11, 2012, Asia-Plus – Two of those suspected of involvement in the murder of the GBAO regional security chief have surrendered to the law enforcement authorities.
An official website of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) says their names are not disclosed in the interest of investigation.
Meanwhile, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service quoted a high-ranking officer from the GBAO police directorate as saying that those who surrendered to the law enforcement authorities are the Tolib Aymobekov’s brother Oqil Ayombekov and his driver Hamza Gulnazar.
The GBAO police directorate official noted that an agreement on handing over those suspected of involvement in the murder of Major-General Abdullo Nazarov had been reached during negotiations with commanders of the GBAO armed formations that have been conducted in Khorog through intermediary of the public commission comprising local activists and religious leaders.
According to him, negotiations on handing over two other persons suspected of involvement in the murder Abdullo Nazarov are still going on.
The source says Tolib Aymbekov’s whereabouts were unknown, while two other commanders – Imomnazar Imomnazarov and Mamadboqir Mamadboqirov – are in Khorog.
RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reported on August 11 that Tolib Ayombekov is in Khorog as well.
“I am in Khorog. I was wounded and I am currently undergoing medical treatment. My two junior brothers have been wounded as well,” Tolib Ayombekov was quoted as saying by RFE/RL’s Tajik Service.
Ayombekov said he and his confederates had begun to lay down weapons after Talika of the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, had been read. “We laid down all weapons we had. All residents of Khorog are now unarmed and only government troops now have arms. Today, they fired at minivan. One young man was killed and one woman and one young man were wounded. People are dissatisfied. I do not know what will be tomorrow,” Ayombekov told RFE/RL in an interview.
He also says that an agreement has been reached that the government troops must be withdrawn and investigation will be continued. “The investigation has been going on for already three days. The Minister of defense said that the investigation will start and the troops will be withdrawn gradually. He said: “We will go and let the ministry of interior continue its work.” But actually it is not so. On contrary, new forces are being sent. All their people have been left. Their checkpoints remain intact. Snipers are still in their positions and 90 others have joined them. Provocation may occur under such conditions. There is the third force that can use the situation.”
The clashes began in Khorog on July 24 when government forces launched a military operation against what it called “militants” following the murder of the regional security chief Abdullo Nazarov on July 21.
The authorities have blamed Tolib Ayombekov, a former warlord from the civil war, for the murder of Abdullo Nazarov.
According to some media sources, fighting that occurred in Khorog last week has left at least 17 soldiers, 30 militants, and some 20 civilians dead.
