Convicts in Kyrgyzstan delivered to Tajikistan

According to Radio Ozodi, Kyrgyzstan has handed over to Dushanbe two citizens of Tajikistan who were sentenced to 20 years in prison to serve their sentences in their homeland.

Photo: Internet

It is reported that Tajik citizens Abdurozik Abdukakhorov and Askar Yunusov were sentenced by the Batken region court of Kyrgyzstan to life imprisonment. They were found guilty under Article 380 (Crimes Against Peace) and Article 391 (Marauding) of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan. Later, the sentences were softened—life sentences were replaced with 20 years in a penal colony.

Relatives of Abdurozik Abdukakhorov and Askar Yunusov stated that they indeed heard that they were brought to Tajikistan from Kyrgyzstan, but they have not been informed of anything yet.

Abdurozik Abdukakhorov and Askar Yunusov are citizens of Tajikistan but reside in the Kyrgyz village of Borbodduk in the Batken region. They were detained following an armed conflict at the Tajik-Kyrgyz border on April 28-29, 2021. This conflict was one of the most intense in the history of independence of both countries. A total of 55 people were killed on both sides, more than 200 were injured to varying degrees, and dozens of houses were burned.

Kyrgyz investigators stated that they found a joint photograph with Tajik border guards on one of their phones. The other was found guilty of marauding during the conflict.

Relatives of the Tajik citizens claimed that these accusations are unfounded, and the court in the Batken region was unfair and conducted with violations.

A source from Radio Ozodi in the Prosecutor’s Office of the Sughd region, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that Abdurozik Abdukakhorov and Askar Yunusov were transferred to Khujand from Bishkek on June 7 and placed in a temporary detention facility. According to the source, the General Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing their case and will issue a conclusion in the coming days.