Statement of the Interdepartmental Headquarters for the Security of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region

Statement of the Interdepartmental Headquarters for the Security of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region

As it is known, in order to fulfill the order and instructions of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, issued on September 15, 2018 in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, the Interdepartmental Headquarters is in operation to ensure the rule of law, public order, civil security, confiscation of illegal weapons, the delay and delivery to the relevant authorities of wanted criminals, the identification and prevention of crimes involving illegal possession and use of firearms. 

To date, 136 firearms have been seized from the leaders of organized criminal groups and individual residents of the region, especially the city of Khorog, including: 57 units of the Kalashnikov, 2 units of machine gun, 2 units of grenade launcher, one anti-aircraft complex, 27 units of gun, 8 units of carabine, 29 units of smooth-bore weapons "TOZ", 1 unit of weapons of foreign production and about 2686 combat equipment, as well as 500 grams of explosive material.

Out of 21 wanted persons, 11 criminals voluntarily appeared in law enforcement agencies.

And those who continue to be on the wanted list were made to remind them that voluntary attendance was a mitigating circumstance provided for by law. After a certain period of time, the crime will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

At the same time, as a result of operational search measures, on October 2, 2018, employees of the Office of the State Committee for National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan in the GBAO prevented criminal activities of an organized criminal gang from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Shugnan region of the Republic of Tajikistan, which aimed to deliver large quantities of weapons and military equipment and drugs in the Shugnan district of GBAO.

During the operation and the armed conflict in the border town of Barchidi Jamoat in the village of Porshnev, Shugnan district, the smugglers, taking advantage of the darkness, fled from the crime scene. 

During the inspection of the crime scene, 2 holdalls were found, in which 4 units of Kalashnikov and 25 kg of narcotic drugs were hidden, including 10 kg of heroin, 13 kg of hashish and 2 kg of opium.

According to the information of the Headquarters, organized criminal groups in the Shugnan district and the city of Khorog currently still intend to smuggle weapons, military equipment and drugs from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. In this regard, the Headquarters categorically warns that such criminal actions complicate the situation and provide a basis for taking legal measures to the organizers of these crimes.

Another activity of the Interdepartmental Headquarters is to decisively streamline the movement of vehicles and the prevention of law violations.

As a result of the targeted measures taken, 2468 facts of violation of the road rules were revealed. In particular, 27 vehicles with illegal tinting were installed, 40 without a state number, and also 10 cases of driving without a driver’s license, 110 cases of speeding, 27 cases of non-submission to police officers, 5 cases of driving while intoxicated and 2249 other types of law violations.

It should be noted that the majority of citizens made the necessary conclusions from their illegal actions and the owners of private cars voluntarily cleaned the tinted glass on 203 cars.

Along with this, there are still owners of cars with tinted windows, without state numbers, which violate the rules of the road and create danger to the health of the residents of Khorog.

Thus, on October 2 and 6 of this year, the following people were detained: a resident of the town of Khorog Imomnazarov Sohibnazar Sultonnazarovich on charges of driving a car with darkened windows, disobeying police officers, carrying ammunition (2 knives and 1 grenade); Dodikhudoev Muslim Rizvonshoevich and Muzaffarov Sohibmamlyuk Imomnazarovich on charges of driving a car with tinted windows without permission, insubordination and resistance to police officers. In respect of the above-named persons a criminal case has been filed under Art. 195, part 1 and 328, part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan. All of them are under preliminary arrest.

The interdepartmental headquarters established that today the sum of returned bank loans amounts to 71 million somoni in total, of which Orienbank OJSC has 1,338,671 somoni, Amonatbank - 4,414,916 somoni, and First Microfinance Bank ”3,081,132 somoni, “Agroinvestbank” - 13,191,271 somoni, “Tojiksodirotbank” 48,953,488 somoni.

It should be noted that so far large quantities of firearms and ammunition are illegally stored in the hands of criminal elements and individuals, which has unpredictable consequences.

The violations of traffic rules and other offenses committed by individuals have been recorded. The interdepartmental headquarters decisively demands that all weapons and ammunition be handed over in due time. 

The glorious people of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, especially the city of Khorog, must clearly understand one point that law enforcement agencies and power structures of the region and the republic will not conduct operations against civilians on any street, in the village or in the mahalla.

The residents of Khorog should be confident that their safety will be ensured. The population should not believe unreasonable and senseless intrigues, lies and slander of the leaders of organized criminal groups, it should calmly continue their daily activities.

In case of late delivery of weapons and ammunition by the leaders and members of organized criminal groups, urgent measures should be taken against them in accordance with the current legislation.

Also, in case of disobeying employees of the State Automobile Inspectorate at established posts, carrying firearms, incendiary mixtures (Molotov cocktail), explosives, obstructing and insulting state officials, attempting to interfere in the activities of relevant authorities, in relation to such persons according to the provisions of the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan decisive action must be taken.

Dear and respected compatriots, residents of the city of Khorog! We believe in your high culture and education, and express the hope that by October 15 of the current year the last illegally stored weapon will be surrendered, and the criminals who are wanted will voluntarily appear in law enforcement agencies. We hope that you will assist us in ensuring the safety of the residents of the region, restoring public order and continue to act within the framework of current legislation.