Maria Lvova-Belova, the Children’s Ombudsman of Russia, has responded to a letter from Tajikistan’s Ombudsman, Umed Bobozoda, concerning the tragic murder of the 10-year-old Tajik boy Qobiljon Aliyev in a school xenophobic attack in Odintsovo, Moscow region.
On December 17, Bobozoda sent official letters to Russia's Human Rights Commissioner, Tatyana Moskalkova, and Maria Lvova-Belova, demanding a “thorough, transparent, and fair investigation” into the incident. The press service of the Tajik Ombudsman confirmed receiving a response.
In her reply, Lvova-Belova referred to the killing of Qobiljon Aliyev, a 4th-grade student, as an "irreparable loss" and extended her deepest condolences to the boy’s family. She emphasized that such tragedies demand serious attention to child safety and protection issues.
“The incident is under the control of the Children’s Ombudsman of Russia. We continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities in the Moscow region to conduct a thorough investigation and provide possible assistance to the child’s family,” the letter from Lvova-Belova stated.
She reassured Umed Bobozoda that she would take all necessary steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In his appeal, Umed Bobozoda called for the perpetrators to be held accountable according to the law, emphasizing the need for effective measures to prevent such tragedies, increase oversight in schools, and ensure the physical and psychological safety of children.
"Protecting the life, safety, and rights of children should be a priority for every state and educational institution. No conditions, administrative shortcomings, or negligence can justify violence or neglect toward children,” the Tajik Ombudsman wrote.
Qobiljon was stabbed to death at his school by a 15-year-old neo-Nazi identified as Timofey K on December 16.
Before the bloodshed began, Timofey K. approached a group of children and a teacher at the school and asked about their nationality. He recorded this exchange on his phone and later shared it on Telegram. When a security guard advanced, Timofey K. doused him in pepper spray and stabbed the man before chasing Qobiljon Aliyev up the stairs and fatally wounding him. The attacker, who had barricaded himself in a classroom, was apprehended by law enforcement officers.
Following the attack, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for Moscow Region opened a criminal case under Article 105 (“Murder”), Part 3 of Article 30 (“Preparation for a Crime and Attempted Crime”), and Part 2 of Article 105 of the Russian Criminal Code. An investigation is ongoing.
The Tajik government has publicly demanded an “immediate, objective, and impartial investigation” into the boy’s murder, calling it a crime motivated by national hatred.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan called the crime an act of “national hatred” and the Russian Ambassador to Tajikistan, Semyon Grigoriyev, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was handed a note demanding that the Russian side conducts an immediate, objective, and impartial investigation of this tragic incident and bring all those involved to justice to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Tajikistan's Interior Minister, Ramazon Rahimzoda, demanded that Russian authorities thoroughly and impartially investigate the murder and ensure that the guilty parties are justly punished.
Tajikistan's President, Emomali Rahmon, also raised the issue during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 22. Putin called the incident a “terrorist attack” and promised that “those responsible will be punished.”
