Makhmadbokirov: We did not betray either the state or the president

One of the well-known informal leaders of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, Mahmadbokir Mahmadbokirov, made a video address following the accusations against him.

In his video address, Mahmadbokir Mahmadbokirov emphasized that he has never betrayed either the state or the president.

“I have never betrayed and will never betray my people. No matter how many lives I have, I am ready to sacrifice them for my people. We are not enemies. We have never betrayed the state or the president. We have never betrayed anyone,” Mahmadbokirov stated.

Mahmadbokirov stressed that he has always worked for the benefit of his people.

“I have worked hard and tirelessly. I earned the rank of colonel. I was the commander of a unit in Murghab. We had an exemplary military unit of border troops. But as soon as we completed the most difficult part of our work, we were declared enemies. I was dismissed. What is my guilt? That I honestly fulfilled my official duties, that I served my homeland honestly?” Mahmadbokirov questioned.

Mahmadbokirov believes that the authorities dislike him because he always speaks the truth, defends ordinary people, and prevents the criminal actions of some officials.

“For 30 years, I have been under pressure from the authorities. I do not understand why. Maybe it’s because I speak the truth, can express my opinion, and try to stand up for ordinary people. For this reason, they do not like me,” he stated.

However, the authorities on the regional TV “Badakhshan” accuse Mahmadbokirov of having beaten the head of the education department of GBAO and demand that he or his supporters surrender to law enforcement.

Mahmadbokirov claims that he previously exposed the criminal activities of the regional leadership.

“I participated in the seizure of a large batch of drugs – 736 kg of heroin, belonging to the then chairman of the region (Alimamad Niezmamadov – head of the GBAO hukumat from 1994 to 2006),” Mahmadbokirov asserts.

He also accused the current chairman of GBAO of serious crimes:

“The chairman of the region (Alisher Mirzonabotov) has a personal dislike for me. He served under my command in Murghab. I know a lot about him. About the fact of the rape he committed. You remember what you did and why you were expelled. And why I stopped respecting you. Alisher Mirzonabotov, your place is in prison, where you must serve your sentence for rape and many other crimes. You should be judged by the International Hague Tribunal for crimes against humanity.”

At the same time, on January 10, the chairman of the region, Alisher Mirzonabotov, at a meeting of the local hukumat, called Mahmadbokir Mahmadbokirov, along with other informal leaders of the region, “the leader of an organized criminal group,” which “interferes with the normal functioning of the authorities in GBAO.”

Mahmadbokirov emphasized that he does not aspire to the position of president, nor is he seeking power, positions, or titles. “We ask for only one thing – leave us alone so that we can live in peace,” he noted.

It has been reported that law enforcement agencies have initiated a criminal case against Mahmadbokir Mahmadbokirov; however, residents of the region have organized a night watch in the Barkhorog microdistrict to prevent the detention of the informal leader of the region.