What was the purpose of Emomali Rahmon’s visit to Switzerland and Turkmenistan?

After his three-day visit to Germany, the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon did not appear in public for several days.

According to official data, the President of Tajikistan was supposed to fly directly to Tajikistan after completing his visit. However, contrary to previously published official information, he traveled from Berlin to Zurich (Switzerland).

It was also announced that Emomali Rahmon would fly from Zurich to Tajikistan, but contrary to the previously announced program, he flew from Zurich to Turkmenistan, and from there to Tajikistan.

At the same time, the press service of the President of Tajikistan reported on September 30 that “Emomali Rahmon returned from Berlin to his homeland after completing a working visit to the Federal Republic of Germany.” However, it is unclear why Rahmon did not fly directly to Dushanbe and instead first went to Turkmenistan.

Photo: Internet

According to the portal www.flightaware.com, President Emomali Rahmon’s flight departed from Zurich Airport (Switzerland) at 12:35 local time and landed at the international airport in Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan) at 19:35 local time.

Earlier, on July 23, the media reported that the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon went to Zurich on an undisclosed visit, and his plane remained at one of the airports in the country for several days.

From September 28 to 30, negotiations took place in Berlin between the heads of state of Central Asia, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Against the backdrop of President Emomali Rahmon’s visit to Germany, on September 28 and 29, the Tajik opposition organized protests in front of the Tajik Embassy in Germany and the residence of the President of Germany in Berlin.

As President Emomali Rahmon’s convoy was moving towards the residence of the President of Germany, members of the political movement “Group 24” shouted “dictator” and threw eggs at his car.

In photographs later circulated, Emomali Rahmon is seen exiting the egg-smeared car and looking very upset.