Outside Forces Trying To Destabilize Tajikistan – Nazarbayev

The recent terror attacks in Tajikistan were organized with involvement of forces from outside the country, Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev said on Monday during his visit to Tajikistan.

“They are attempting Tajikistan, trying to get through, to destabilize it according to Nazarbayev. “The recent events inside the country must have resulted from outside interference.”

“We are aware of all those problems and know that here Tajikistan is like an outpost [in fighting terrorism and extremism in Central Asia ],” he said. “Our law enforcers and special services should cooperate.”

Tajik prosecutor general’s office initiated a criminal case against Nazarzoda, the former defense minister, on charges of high treason, terrorism, organizing an extremist group and sabotage. Similar charges were brought against Nazarzoda’s “closest supporter” Colonel Dzhunaidullo Umarov, who took active part in setting up a criminal group and attacking policemen in Dushanbe and Vakhdat. The prosecutor general’s office also said Nazarzoda possessed a “big business” and dozens of illegally privatised assets.”

Over the years of civil war in Tajikistan in 1992-1995, Nazarzoda, dubbed Khalim, was a field commander of the Tajik armed opposition. After a peace deal was signed in June 1997, Nazarzoda was commissioned to the Tajik army under the program of reintegration of former opposition gunmen. In 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed deputy defense minister. He was dismissed from the post by President Emomali Rakhmov on Friday, September 5, for “committing a crime.”