Badakhshan activist missing in Germany

On October 19 of this year, activist and native of Badakhshan Saidtaib Saidmamudov was detained in Germany, and two weeks later, his relatives still have no information about his whereabouts and legal status.

According to sources from “Payom,” Saidmamudov is a political activist and representative of the Pamiri civil society. He has participated several times in peaceful protests by Tajiks in Germany, including a demonstration on September 28, 2023, in front of the Tajikistan embassy in Berlin and a protest on September 30 of the same year in front of the Federal Chancellor’s office in Germany.

His relatives are concerned that Saidmamudov may be deported to Tajikistan, where his participation in protests could lead to persecution. According to the source, the Pamiri civil society representative is being held in Bavaria after his detention. However, the detention of Saidmamudov and his possible custody in Bavaria had not been confirmed by independent sources at the time of preparing this article. The authorities of Germany and Tajikistan have not commented on his detention.

Meanwhile, a copy of a document prepared by the Federal Police at Frankfurt Airport has come into the possession of the “Payom” editorial office, which mentions the name of Saidtaib Saidmamudov and the date — October 19, 2026.

The document states that he is petitioning the German authorities for asylum and must contact the relevant department of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) to submit an official application.

According to the Central Register of Foreigners in Germany, as of August 31, 2026, there were 12,891 citizens of Tajikistan residing in Germany. Of these, 1,074 people are required to leave the country.

Among them, 922 people have Duldung status (deferred deportation). This status means that they are required to leave the country, but their deportation is temporarily postponed. The remaining 152 people do not have such status.

According to German authorities, from January to August 2026, 27 people were deported from the country to Tajikistan. Among them were two women and one minor child.

Saidmamudov may be deported to Tajikistan against the backdrop of three representatives of the Tajik opposition, including Abdullohi Shamsidin, Bilol Kurbonaliev, and Dilmurad Ergashov, who were detained in Tajikistan after being deported from Germany and sentenced to 7, 10, and 8 years in prison, respectively, since 2023.