DUSHANBE, September 19, 2012, Asia-Plus — In a report released at a meeting with regional administrators in Khorog, President Emomali Rahmon noted on September 19 that the issue of amnestying persons suspected of indirect involvement in the murder of the GBAO regional security chief Abdullo Nazarov has not yet been considered.
“To be amnestied one must be convicted,” said the president. “For this, investigation must be carried out into the crime and their guilt must be determined and proved. The law on amnesty is signed by the president only after the court’s verdict.”
The president promised amnesty to those who voluntarily lay down their weapons, inform law enforcement authorities of crimes they committed and collaborate with the law enforcement authorities.
According to the president, some 100,000 people have been amnestied over the years of independence, including 2,500 residents of Gorno Badakhshan.
During an address to the meeting, the President revealed details of killing of the GBAO regional security chief.
According to him, 20 persons on five cars stopped the car of Major-General Abdullo Nazarov. Three bodyguards and the driver were with the general, but he allegedly did not allow them to get out of the car, saying that he will talk to those persons by himself. One of the criminals stabbed the general with tire lever in the head and heart. After that, they beat the bodyguards and took their weapons, the president said.
The president expressed dissatisfaction with work of local law enforcement authorities.
President Rahmon’s visit to Gorno Badakhshan started weeks after a special operation there by security forces left some 70 people dead.
We will recall that 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. Hundreds of troops have reportedly poured into Khorog to hunt down Ayombekov.
Authorities also accused Ayombekov of drug-trading and smuggling tobacco and precious stones.
Tolib Ayombekov has denied the accusations and said the government is using Nazarov”s death as a pretext for cementing its grip over Gorno Badakhshan. Tolib Ayombekov surrendered to the authorities on August 12.
The authorities demand that people they consider responsible for the murder of the GBAO regional security chief be handed over to face justice.
