DUSHANBE, May 10, 2016, Asia-Plus – Tajik law enforcement authorities say a joint operation by the law enforcement agencies of Tajikistan and the Russian Federation has led to the arrest of supporters of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization who were planning to carry out terrorist attacks.
According to the Tajik Interior Ministry’s website, a joint operation by the law enforcement agencies of Tajikistan and the Russian Federation has led to the arrest of suspected supporters of the IS extremist group who were planning to carry out terrorist attacks in Dushanbe and Moscow during the celebrations marking Victory Day on May 9.
Two alleged members of the IS extremist group – Tajik national Aybek Saitov, ethnic Uzbek who is resident of Tajikistan’s Jabborrasoulov district (Sughd province), and Kyrgyz national A. Toshboltayev, having dual nationality with Russia – were arrested on May 2 in Moscow in a joint operation carried out by Tajik police officers and Russian law enforcement authorities, the Tajik Interior Ministry’s website says. Two assault rifles Kalashnikov were reportedly confiscated from them.
Saitov was wounded by Russian law enforcement officers while resisting arrest, and he is currently in a hospital.
Meanwhile, Tajik law enforcement authorities reportedly detained four suspected supporters of the IS terrorist group on May 6.
Tajikistan”s Interior Ministry said yesterday that information provided by Russian police led to the arrest of Duston Mengliqulov, ethnic Uzbek who is resident of Khatlon’s Qubodiyon district, on his arrival in Dushanbe from Moscow on May 6. Three Mengliqulov’s associates were arrested in the Qubodiyon district on suspicion of being supporters of the IS terrorist group. All are reportedly suspected of planning attacks in Tajikistan ordered by IS leaders in Syria.
One notebook, six flashcards, 30 CDs, subversive literature, one map of Tajikistan, two pistols and two portable radio transmitters were found in their houses in Qubodiyon. Besides, ammunition was found Saitov’s house in the Jabborrasoulov district.
Investigation is reportedly under way.
Tajik authorities have said that hundreds of Tajikistan’s citizens are fighting alongside IS militants in Syria and Iraq.
