Muzaffar Ashuriyon, the Minister of Justice of Tajikistan, declined to comment on a deadly incident that occurred in Khujand penal colony at the end of January when journalists asked about it during a news conference in Dushanbe on February 12.
In early February, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service, known locally as Radio Ozodi, citing its sources, reported the tragic event at Khujand correctional facility. According to the report, on January 31, one of the prisoners attacked a prison guard, seized his weapon, and opened fire. In response, the prison staff fired back, resulting in the attacker’s death. Both the guard and the prisoner were killed.
Sources clarified that the incident occurred during the day when prisoners were being taken to the yard. The prisoner suddenly grabbed the guard's pistol, fired, and was then shot dead. To enhance security and prevent a potential escape, traffic police officers were called in. According to Radio Ozodi’s sources, no escape attempts were recorded.
An investigation was launched into the incident, but the motives behind the attack remain unclear. Official statements from the authorities were not provided in the report.
Asia-Plus did not publish news about this incident, hoping to get a detailed response during the Ministry of Justice’s news conference.
When asked by journalists about the event, Muzaffar Ashuriyon acknowledged that it was a crime but stated that the case did not fall under their jurisdiction:
"Please don’t ask me such questions. We don’t conduct preliminary investigations, and such questions are outside our jurisdiction. Please refrain from asking these kinds of questions, as they will remain unanswered, and you should contact the relevant authorities that have the proper authority on these matters," said Ashuriyon.
When journalists pointed out that the issue fell under their ministry’s jurisdiction as the Department of Criminal Penalties is part of the Ministry of Justice, Ashuriyon gave no response.
It is also worth noting that this is the second news conference held by the Ministry of Justice without the head of the Department of Criminal Penalties, Mansourjon Umarov.
