“Dilshod SB” and his accomplices sentenced to the highest penalty

The Supreme Court of Tajikistan has issued a verdict in the case of the abduction and murder of Shukhrat Ismatulloev, the first deputy chairman of “Orionbank,” Hasan Asadullozoda.

The court hearing took place on March 18 at Detention Center No. 1 in Dushanbe. By the court’s decision, Dilshod Saidmurodov, nicknamed “Dilshod SB,” Kamar Azizov, Akbar Akhmadov, Bakhtovar Safarov, and Shokhrukh Khojaev were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Nine other defendants were sentenced to terms ranging from 1 to 8 years in prison on various charges, including failure to report a crime.

The court also ordered the confiscation of the property of some defendants, in particular, Dilshod Saidmurodov. Saidmurodov’s relatives told Radio Ozodi that they do not agree with the court’s decision.

The Supreme Court of Tajikistan has not yet officially commented on the verdict in this high-profile case.

The judicial proceedings in the case of the abduction and murder of Shukhrat Ismatulloev began in January of this year, presided over by a judge of the Supreme Court of Tajikistan. Court sessions were held at the detention center in Dushanbe.

On June 23, 2023, media reported that the deputy chairman of “Orionbank,” Shukhrat Ismatulloev, had been abducted by a group of unknown individuals. This report became one of the most resonant news stories of the year. On August 12, after a long search, Shukhrat’s body was found in the Sarazm area of the city of Pendzhikent.

The Attorney General of Tajikistan, Yusuf Rahmon, reported at a press conference in February of this year that criminal cases had been initiated against 18 individuals. Fourteen suspects have been detained and are under investigation. Two have been declared wanted, and two others—Rustam Ashurov and Parviz Mustafakulov—have died.