Rahmon’s Special Operations: How the Authorities Remove Activists

In the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan, the most influential informal leader of the region was killed. Although the authorities of Tajikistan officially deny their involvement in the death of Mamadbokir Mamadbokirov, the manner of the murder leaves no doubt that they were responsible.

We discussed the reasons for the new destabilization in eastern Tajikistan in one of our previous episodes. This time, you will learn about the methods of special operations employed by Emomali Rahmon and his security forces.

Information Discrediting of Future Victims

Before the start of most special operations, the authorities of Tajikistan launch a massive information attack against their potential adversary. Without trial or investigation, the future victim is labeled a criminal and a threat to peace and stability. Of course, an essential part of the information attack is reminding the population of the republic about the civil war of the 1990s, showcasing horrific archival footage of the victims of that conflict.

Subsequently, well-known natives of the region where the military operation is planned are involved in the information campaign. They begin to urge their fellow countrymen to be vigilant and support the authorities. This is followed by numerous appeals from the residents of the region, repeating almost the same message.

Pressure on Relatives

Following the information attack, the work of the security services typically begins. Close relatives, neighbors, and friends of the targets of the special operation are summoned en masse to local offices of the State Committee for National Security. They are subjected to psychological pressure, forced to write denunciations or video appeals to their relative who has fallen out of favor with the authorities. Real criminal cases are opened against relatives who refuse to comply, turning them into accomplices and, one could say, taking them hostage.

At this stage, the target of the special operation becomes a toxic person, whose communication will have consequences, leading not only friends and neighbors but also close relatives to turn away from them.

Information Isolation

As this process draws the attention of civil activists and journalists, pressure is also exerted on them. In the past, inspections would come to the editorial offices of publications—from sanitary and epidemiological stations and firefighters to tax inspectors and prosecutors. There have been cases where representatives of the media were attacked by unknown individuals, whom law enforcement agencies have yet to find.

In recent years, employees of the security agencies have become even lazier; they directly call the editors-in-chief or owners of media outlets and explicitly prohibit them from contacting the target of their special operation. Thus, the authorities deprive their opponents of the opportunity to speak out in their defense before the public.

Beginning of the Active Phase

Following complete social and information isolation, the active phase of the special operation typically begins. At this stage, everything is done according to standard tactics:

– a command headquarters is established;

– an operation plan is drawn up;

– military forces are amassed;

– checkpoints are set up;

– internet and mobile communications are blocked;

– an ultimatum is issued to the target of the special operation to surrender voluntarily, and if they refuse, the hot phase begins.

Extrajudicial Executions

As the history of Emomali Rahmon’s special operations shows, in the overwhelming majority of cases, they end with the murder of the person who has fallen out of favor with the president. There is ample evidence on the internet that some of those declared criminals by the authorities are captured alive by the security forces. However, their corpses are subsequently displayed on television channels, and it is announced that they were eliminated during the special operation. For example, this happened in 2009 with Mirzo Ziyoev, in 2011 with Ali Bedaki, and in 2015 with two brothers of General Abduhalim Nazarzoda. According to unofficial data, extrajudicial executions of opponents of the authorities are carried out by a special “execution team” from the Alpha special forces of the GKNB and the Dushanbe OMON of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Legend of the Special Operation

Following the special operation, a legend is created in the State Committee for National Security in coordination with the presidential administration, explaining why the authorities opted for a forceful solution to the problem.

In the legend, in addition to the already guilty party, the authorities expose the so-called foreign “patrons.” Typically, the legend does not specify a particular country but strongly implies who wanted to destabilize Tajikistan. Previously, Uzbekistan and Iran were indicated as enemy countries. However, in light of improved relations with these two countries, the authorities have recently named several Western countries as the culprits in the recent events in Badakhshan.