Mass arrests in Kubodiyon

The law enforcement agencies of Tajikistan have detained more than two dozen residents of the Kubodiyon district in the Khatlon region on suspicion of “Salafism.”

The detentions were carried out this week by police officers from the Kubodiyon district and the city of Bokhtar. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has not yet officially commented on this report.

A source close to the administration of the Kubodiyon district confirmed to Radio Ozodi on February 24 that several residents of the Vopkand jamoat were detained, some of whom were later released, while approximately 10–12 people are currently in custody.

An attorney, whom the parents of the detainees contacted for legal assistance, told the publication that “the number of detainees exceeds 20 people, searches are ongoing.” According to the lawyer, some of them are suspected of “organizing the activities of an extremist organization,” while others are accused of participating in hostilities in Syria, and some have returned from labor migration in Russia.

“Allegedly, they spoke out against the celebration of Navruz and the Sada holiday at various gatherings, and also considered the lighting of bonfires unacceptable,” the lawyer noted.

The exact number of detainees, as well as their comments and the opinions of relatives, are currently unavailable.

It should be noted that Tajik law enforcement agencies regularly conduct mass detentions and raids. Last year, dozens of residents of the Yazgulom jamoat in the Vanch district and the “Darvoz” microdistrict in Dushanbe were detained and subsequently convicted on charges of extremism. However, relatives of the detainees claimed that these accusations were fabricated.