KHUJAND, January 6, 2009, Asia-Plus — Six soldiers of military unit deployed in the Sughd province committed suicide last year, the Sughd military prosecutor Qurbonali Mirzoyev announced at a joint board meeting of the Sughd regional prosecutor’s office and military prosecutor’s office in Khujand on January 5.
According to him, twelve death cases were reported among servicemen of military units in northern Tajikistan last year; six of them committed suicide.
“Many of draftees are married and the suicide cases were reported among married servicemen,” said the military prosecutor, “They committed suicide following bad news from their homes.” Criminal proceedings have been instituted to investigate into two of the suicide cases, he noted.
Speaking at the meeting, the chief of the Sughd regional military registration and enlistment office Azam Qosimov pointed out improper work of medical workers from local draft boards. “Last year, more than 100 draftees were given an early discharge from military service on medical grounds,” said Qosimov, “Because of negligence of the draft board medical workers even young man suffering from epilepsy was conscripted last year.”
