Details of the detention of Yazgulents in GBAO

The operation to detain more than 30 residents of Yazgulom was carried out in the second half of May by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan. The law enforcement agency has not made any official statements regarding this matter. However, two informed sources reported that most of the detainees are residents of the villages of Jamak and Andarbag in the Yazgulom jamoat and are related to each other. One of the sources for Radio Ozodi, familiar with the case materials, stated that 25 detainees are accused of membership in the banned organization “Ansorulloh”.

“Provided shelter and food”, “did not report a crime”

According to sources from Radio Ozodi, the detained “Yazgulom residents” are also suspected of “organizing and being members of a criminal organization,” “calling for a change in the constitutional order,” “organizing an extremist community,” and “failing to report a crime.” Most of the detainees have been taken to Dushanbe, the investigation into their cases is still ongoing, and it is possible that some of the detainees have been released.

As of today, Radio Ozodi has identified the names of 20 detained residents of Yazgulom:

• Shakarmamad Khojaev
• Aslikhiddin Khojaev
• Muslikhiddin Khojaev
• Sukhrob Khojaev
• Pochokhonum Khojaeva (Vakhobova)
• Ekson Khojaev
• Shermamad Khojaev
• Dilbarshokh Lailiev
• Amirkhamza Lailiev
• Mukhiddin Dzhavkharov
• Burkhoniddin Dzhavkharov
• Gulbidin Aliyorov
• Yosin Shudzhovatov
• Yorali Makhmadulloev
• Rabboni Ne’matulloev
• Yodgor Toshev
• Ibodullo Abdulloev
• Farhod Shaikhov
• Bongul Bonaliev
• Navruz Aliev

Judging by this list, seven people have been detained from the Khojaev family alone. The head of this family, Shakarmamad Khojaev, is accused of failing to inform law enforcement about the actions of his sons and daughter-in-law. Three of his sons – Aslikhiddin, Muslikhiddin, and Sukhrob Khojaev – are accused of membership in the banned extremist organization “Ansorulloh”. Aslikhiddin’s wife, Pochokhonum Khojaeva (maiden name Vakhobova), is accused of allegedly providing shelter and food to several “criminals from Afghanistan who were hiding in their home.” Neighbors and relatives of the Khojaevs do not comment on the charges. It is unclear how objectively the investigation is being conducted in this case and on what grounds the accusations have been made. The information contained in this material from Radio Ozodi is taken from the case materials.

“Studied in Iranian Zahedan”

The case of the Khojaevs states that Muslikhiddin studied in Iran’s Zahedan and returned to his homeland several years ago as part of a government campaign to bring back young Tajiks studying in madrasas and Islamic universities abroad. Investigators indicated in the criminal case that he “agitated” his brothers and relatives to follow this path. Aslikhiddin Khojaev, his brother, reportedly jumped off a mountain during his arrest and broke his leg. He was airlifted from Vanj to Dushanbe and was hospitalized. Ekhson Khojaev, the nephew of Shakarmamad Khojaev, was also detained for membership in “Ansarullah.” His brother Shermamad Khojaev is in custody on suspicion of failing to report his brother’s interactions with members of the extremist organization. Three members of the Lailiyev family – Dilbarshokh, Amirhamza, and their sister – have also been detained. Among those detained are two members of the Javkharov family – Mukiddin and Burkhoniddin.

“Some have pledged allegiance to ‘Ansarullah'”

Sources from Radio Ozodi reported that other residents of the Vanj district are also involved in this case – Gulbidin Aliyorov, Yosin Shudjoatov, Yoral Makhmadulloev, Rabboni Ne’matulloev, Yodgor Toshev, Ibodullo Abdulloev, Farhod Shaikhov, Bongul Bonaliyev, and Navruz Aliyev. A resident of the Sughd region and a resident of the Khatlon region are also accused of involvement with this group. Investigators note in the case materials that some of the detainees “pledged allegiance” to the leaders of “Ansarullah.”

Yazgulom is a jamoat in the Vanj district of GBAO, which borders Afghanistan. Authorities previously stated that dozens of residents from this jamoat have joined extremist groups abroad. According to residents of Yazgulom, it is a remote region, and most of its inhabitants lack both stable employment and a settled life.

The “Ansarullah” group (“Jamaat Ansarullah”) is a terrorist organization primarily composed of natives of Tajikistan, which has fought on the side of the Taliban all these years. The Taliban movement (banned in Tajikistan and several other countries as a terrorist organization) entrusted the militants of the “Ansarullah” group with guarding one of the sections of the Afghan-Tajik border after seizing power in Afghanistan in August 2021.