DUSHANBE, 20.05.2019. (NIAT Khovar) – On May 19, 2019, at 21:30, prisoners convicted under the Article 401 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code of Tajikistan have organized a riot in the Correctional Institution 3/2 of the Main Directorate for the Execution of Criminal Sentences of the Ministry of Justice located in Vahdat in order to destabilize the situation in the institution and escape.

The riot was organized by Islamic State members, led by Buhruz Gulmurod, the son of the former colonel and traitor Gulmurod Halimov who was killed in Syria, along with Gulov Fakhriddin, Sharipov Mahmadullo and Hasanov Ruhullo.

Wielding a knife, the rebelleous group killed three employees of the correctional institution, including Major Burhoniddin Murodov, Major Abdujabbor Halimov and Lieutenant Asoev Mahmud Hamidovich and then proceeded to release another eight prisoners in a punishment cell, who were also who were also members of the terrorist and extremist organization Islamic State. Thereafter the group killed five prisoners, including Said Kiyomidini Gozi, Karimov Sattor Samadovich (Makhsumi Sattor) and Sattorov Saidmahdihon (Sheikh Temur), wounding dozens of other prisoners in order to intimidate them.

They proceeded to set fire to the medical unit of the institution, took several prisoners hostage and attacked the staff of the institution in order to escape.

Following the response operation, which was conducted in accordance with the law, 24 members of this group were neutralized, 35 others were detained and the hostages were released.

On this fact the General Prosecutor’s Office has filed a criminal case and investigation is currently under way.

The usual order in the prison, which whouses 1,500 inmates, has been restored, and the situation is now under control.

Press Service of the Main Directorate
for the Execution of Penalties of the
Ministry of Justice of Tajikistan