Residents of GBAO still do not have access to the internet

Residents of the city of Khorog and the Rushan, Roshtkala, Shugnan, and Ishkashim districts of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region still do not have access to the internet.

Photo: Internet

The Asia-Plus agency, citing its source in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), reports that internet access was restored in the Darvaz, Vanj, and Murghab districts of the region on the night of December 9 to 10.

The internet in GBAO was disconnected after protests began on November 25 following the murder of Gulbiddin Ziyabekov, a resident of the Roshtkala district.

On November 28, after reaching an agreement with a group of protesting representatives, the authorities promised that mobile communication and internet would be restored throughout the region as soon as the protests ended, but they did not keep their promises.

Some experts believe that the restoration of internet access in certain areas of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, such as the Darvaz, Vanj, and Murghab districts, while depriving residents of the administrative center Khorog, Rushan, Roshtkala, Shugnan, and Ishkashim districts, is a form of punishment by the authorities on International Human Rights Day.

On November 25, Gulbiddin Ziyabekov was killed by law enforcement officers in the village of Tavdem in the Roshtkala district, with traces of 7 bullets found on his body. The brutal murder of Gulbiddin Ziyabekov sparked a wave of protests in Khorog. Protesters demanded accountability for those responsible, but law enforcement responded by opening fire on the protesters. As a result, at least three people were killed and dozens were injured.

On December 9, the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) of Tajikistan aired a program on local television accusing the participants of the protests of illegal actions, and Gulbiddin Ziyabekov was accused of committing a number of crimes, but it was not explained why law enforcement officers killed Gulbiddin Ziyabekov or why they opened fire on the protesters, resulting in the deaths of three and injuries to dozens of peaceful residents.