DUSHANBE, 14.07.2018 /NIAT “Khovar”/. A terrorist act is a crime directed against the foundations of the constitutional order, human security, society and the state. The main goal of its organizers is to disrupt peace and stability, complicate the situation and weaken the legislative structures of the state administration.

Usually, the terrorist acts are developed and carried out by the enemy in a very hidden cunning way. As a result, the investigating and identifying of a crime, bringing to justice the criminal elements and their direct instructors in most cases lasts for decades.

Thanks to the high level of professionalism, the investigative bodies of the State Committee for National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan uncovered one terrorist act that was committed in 1996 by the members of the terrorist and extremist organization Islamic renaissance party /TEO IRP/.

It is no secret that in the 90-ies of the last century, the young state of Tajikistan that newly achieved independence was in the process of building the first foundations of statehood and, at the same time, made efforts to extinguish the hearth of the civil war in the country.

Taking advantage of the situation, the criminal groups of the TEO IRP under the order, guidance and financing of their well-known foreign patrons committed various horrific terrorist acts. They aimed to destabilize the situation, to induce fear and a sense of distrust towards the state structures in the hearts of the country’s inhabitants.

On 18 June 1996, on I. Somoni Avenue of Dushanbe city, the military bus of brand “Ural”, the state number 02-07 BS, belonging to the military unit 07009 of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan, was attacked by unknown people.

As a result, the servicemen of this military unit — Mehmon Hisochaev, Abdulaziz Abdulhamidovich Shukurov, Chastukhin Georgiy Vyacheslavovich, Ishanova Natalia Borisovna, Shutov Georgiy Grigorievich, Grigorchuk Vasily Semenovich, Kaplanov Ali Sunnatovich, Presturyakova S., Ovchinnikova V., and Zaynieva L. were seriously injured. Ishanova Natalia Borisovna died due to her heavy injuries.

Regarding this incident, the investigative bodies filed criminal case under the Articles 15-63, part 1, of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan (attempt of committing a terrorist act) and initiated operational-search activities.

Within the framework of the criminal case it was revealed that the residents of the 102 microdistrict of Sino district of Dushanbe city, the citizens Safro Siddiqova, Siddiqov Jamshed Tavarbekovich and Azimova Fotima Rashidovna with their own eyes saw two armed men, attacking the military bus, one of them is Rajabov Khurshed Ahtamovich, 1970 birth year, native and resident of Firdavsi district of Dushanbe city.

Based on the testimonies of the witnesses, on 30 June 1996 the suspect Rajabov Khurshed Ahtamovich was detained and, in accordance with article 83 of the Administrative Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan, in his relation was conducted a preliminary measure in the form of detention.

However, Khurshed Rajabov and his crime partners by armed force and threat to destroy their families compel witnesses Safro Siddikova, Jamshed Siddiqov and Fotima Azimova to deny their previous testimony. Fotima Azimova, because of fear, sold her house and moved with her family members to the Russian Federation for permanent residence. As a result, Khurshed Rajabov was released from pre-trial detention with the change of the preliminary measures, that is, after receiving a written understanding not to leave the place of residence.

Taking the opportunity, the criminal Khurshed Rajabov left Tajikistan and hid on the territory of foreign countries.

The criminal thought that with the passage of a long time his criminal acts would be forgotten.

But the law will never be without action against the crime and criminal. Rajabov Khurshed Ahtamovich was wanted for 22 years, and operative-search activities were conducted against him.

On 26 June 2018, Khurshed Rajabov was detained by Tajik security forces while entering into the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan with another name.

Within the framework of the criminal case in his relation, the previous witnesses were re-interrogated.

In his testimony, Khurshed Radjabov notes that in 1993-1994, he met three TEO IRP members with the names of Alisher, Abdullo and Shamik (other names Shamil and Shams), residents of mahallas “3rd motor depot”, “Doc” and Chekhov street of Dushanbe city and they joined him in their criminal group. Alisher was the leader of that group. He always had weapon. He did not hide his membership in the Islamic renaissance party, and urged Khurshed Rajabov to join this party.

According to Khurshed Rajabov, these three constantly told about their closeness to Abduhalim Nazarzoda or according to them “Hoji Halim”. Alisher regularly went to Hoji Halim and brought to the attention of group members his special orders.

Regarding an attempt on the life of servicemen, Khurshed Rajabov through Alisher received Hoji Halim’s instruction in order to study the traffic route of servicemen bus for two days, to determine hours and minutes of its movement in 102 microdistrict of Dushanbe city and to give its plan to Alisher.

Following completing this instruction Alisher gave to Khurshed Rajabov 300 hundred USD and promised to provide him with a job at Hoji Halim.

Then, according to another order of Abduhalim Nazarzoda, on 18 June 1996 Khurshed Rajabov and his criminal associates committed an armed attack on a bus of servicemen of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan. While shooting and escaping from the crime scene, the real witnesses saw Khurshed Rajabov with his other criminal associates.

The operational-search activities against other criminals involved in this attack are being currently continued.

Once again, it became obvious the participation of leaders and members of the terrorist and extremist organization Islamic renaissance party in the development and implementation of the terrible terrorist acts. Despite this, the fugitive leaders of this terrorist organization and their interested foreign patrons still do not want to avoid of their hostile intentions.

But they need to know that their betrayal and committed crimes will never remain undisclosed. Just like as their committed 22 years ago criminal act was disclosed today.

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 The driver of “Ural” bus of the military unit 07009 of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan Kaplanov Ali Sunnatovich:

— I worked as a driver in the military unit No. 07009 of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan. On the morning of 18 June 1996, I headed to the city for servicemen, at the turn of the maternity hospital № 3 I turned the car and stopped at a bus stop. At that time, several servicemen of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan had to take my bus. They just started to get on the bus when there was a violent explosion. I quickly turned in that direction, and saw that black smoke was rising from the left side near Kazakon mahalla, to which I was surprised. At that time a few more grenades were thrown. Two men came to the right, followed by me. At this time there was an explosion. After him they began to shoot towards the bus from the machine gun. As a result, one person was died, and several others were injured.

Pensioner of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan Nazarov Sulaimon Safarovich:

— On 18 June 1996 at about 7:00 – 7:10 at the bus stop of the Diagnostic Center I sat in the service car and we drove to the maternity hospital No.3 of Kazakon mahalla. We stopped near the hospital and while landing of persons who went with us to the service place, a bullet with a whistling sound flew at a level of a meter or half over the bus. We looked toward the road, from where the dust and smoke rose. A grenade also exploded near our car, as a result, the heavy car almost turned over. After it there was an even louder explosion and towards the car it was opened fire.

Pensioner of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan Shukurov Abdulaziz Abdulhamidovich:

— On 18 June 1996, I was going to the service place. At this time near the maternity hospital №3 of 103 mircrodistrict we were attacked by unknown people. There was an explosion of a grenade launcher, a grenade exploded under a bus. After 40-45 seconds the bus was bombarded, as a result of which one person was killed and 9 were injured. Personally, I got three injuries. There are still traces of grenade splinters on my hand. Here, there and here (he points at the wounds).

Witness Safro Siddiqova:

— On the morning of 18 June 1996, when I woke up at about 7:00 – 7:10, I heard the sound of gunfire. We thought that the war had started again. After these sounds, two – one of them had gun and another automatic ran, jumped near us over a fence and entered the next house. I recognized one of them, he was Khurhsed Rajabov. Then a neighbor came and said that this armed guy was Khurshed and, threatened me with weapons that if I scream, he would kill me. When Khurshed was detained by law enforcement agencies and investigative measures began, Khurshed’s relatives came to my house and threatened not to give any testimony.

Witness Siddiqov Jamshed Tavarovich:

— On 18 June 1996, I woke up and saw two people in the street. One was tall and blonde in a white shirt and the other was Khurshed Rajabov wearing a black robe. The one who was in a white shirt began to question me, and Khurshed observed all this from the side. At this time, Khurshed shouted: “They came”. After that, Khurshed’s companion, ignoring me, ran to his side. They fired a whole grenade launcher and threw in another 2 grenades. Then they began to shoot with automatic weapons. My mother, who was standing in the courtyard, saw them. Under my mother’s eyes, they jumped over the fence and disappeared into the next house. After the detention of Khurshed Rajabov, his associates came and threatened my mother with a weapon that if you gave any testimony, we will shoot all members of your family.

Detained Radzhabov Khurshed Akhtamovich:

— In 1996, I worked at the Chekhov mahalla brewery. Once Shamak, who is a resident of this mahalla came to me. After questioning, he promised that I would soon find a good job for you. A few days later, two people arrived by the Zhiguli car “06”, and we got acquainted. The name of one was Alisher and another — Abdullo. They said that we do not demand much from you. You just find out and let us know when and at what time arrives and leaves the bus of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan. I answered that everyone knows it. They said that we need to find out exactly what route the bus comes and when it departs. A day later Alisher and Abdullo arrived in the same car, Shamak was not there. In the cabin of the car I gave them the schedule of arrival and departure of the bus of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan and explained that the bus turns at turn of 82 microdistrict, and then it follows to 102 microdistrict. From the turn of the maternity hospital № 3 it moves down to the school. They took the schedule and giving 300 USD to me, said that we are the members of the Islamic renaissance party. Our commander is Hoji Halim. Do not be afraid of anything. Our commander is omnipotent.