DUSHANBE, October 6, 2015, Asia-Plus – Bakhtiyor Langariyev, the son of a legendary former commander of the pro-government Popular Front Salmon Langariyev and the brother of one of the main commanders of the Popular Front Langari Langariyev, has returned to Tajikistan after seven years.
Bakhtiyor Langariyev left the country in 2008.
Bakhtiyor Langariyev had been chief of the Dushanbe organized crime control department. Before that, Colonel Bakhtiyor Langariyev had served as commander of the Tajik Interior Ministry”s special forces.
People close to the Langariyev family say Bakhtiyor Langariyev returned to the country one month and a half ago.
According to some sources, he may be appointed deputy minister of defense after staff changes are introduced into the Ministry of Defense in connection with recent deadly mutiny.
Meanwhile, some other sources say that it cannot be ruled out that Bakhtiyor’s elder brother, Fayzali Langariyev, will be appointed deputy defense minister while Bakhtiyor Langariyev will head one of the Defense Ministry’s special battalions.
Salmon Langariyev, a legendary former commander of the Popular Front’s militia, died in Kulob on March 30, 2010 at the age of 84.
Salmon Langariyev, also known as “Grandfather Salmon,” was a retired prison guard who joined the military at the start of Tajikistan”s 1992 civil war.
His late eldest son, Langari Langariyev, a former police officer, was one of the main commanders of the pro-government Popular Front. He died of combat wounds in Khujand in 1993.
Another son, Major-General Fayzali Langariyev, now heads the Central Committee of Assistance to Defense.
In May 2008, the Tajik Security Ministry arrested Salmon Langariyev”s youngest son, Suhrob, after a 16-hour gun battle at his home in Kulob that ended only when Salmon Langariyev persuaded his son to lay down his weapons. Suhrob Langariyev was subsequently charged with drug smuggling and illegal arms possession.
Bakhtiyor Langariyev left Tajikistan after Suhrob”s arrest.
Ms. Jamila Langariyeva, the daughter of Salmon Langariyev, was appointed Deputy Mayor of Dushanbe in April this year, replacing Ms. Ruqiya Qurbonova, who was retired for age reasons.
