Lutfullo Navrouzov, the head of the Education Directorate of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), speaking on the regional TV station TV Badakhshon, said on January 31 that one of the so-called informal leaders of the region, Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov, being in a state of drunkenness came to his home on the evening of January 29 and beat him.
“He asked where I am from. I said that I am Tajik, native of GBAO’s Vanj district. Hearing this, he swore at me, beat me and told me to get out of here,” Navrouzov said.
Meanwhile, Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov told Asia-Plus in a short interview by phone that it is not true.
“Only when he was appointed chairman of the education directorate and in one of his speeches called us terrorists, I met with him and told him not to meddle in these matters and I have not seen him after that,” Muhammadboqir said.
“I swear to God I didn't hit him. I swear to God it is a lie, it is a slander,” said he. “Now everything is put on me. Invent all sorts of things, slander me. He is Vanji and Vanjis are our brothers, my hands will never be raised against Vanjis.”
It is to be noted that after the four-day demonstrations in GBAO’s capital of Khorog that killed three people and injured at least 17 others, local officials have spoken on the regional TV station accusing protesters of violence and claiming that the rallies were organized by leaders of organizes criminal groups. The officials have also said that criminals are maltreating the residents of Khorog and people from other districts.
The protests in Khorog broke out on November 25 after security forces killed a local man wanted on charges of kidnapping. The rally participants demanded a probe into his death.
