Photo credit: asiaplustj.info
At a press conference on February 13, Rustam Mirzozoda, chairman of Tajikistan’s Supreme Court, revealed the names of the assailant and two accomplices involved in the knife attack on the country’s mufti, Saidmukarram Abdulqodirzoda, Asia-Plus reports.
Muhammadrofi Izzatullozoda, sentenced to 26 years in prison, was found guilty under multiple articles of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code, including terrorism committed by a group with prior conspiracy (Part 2, Article 179), attempted crime (Part 3, Article 32), and attempted murder motivated by personal gain, contract killing, or blood feud (Part 2, Article 104). According to the publication, the 24-year-old convict’s parents are school employees—his father a teacher and his mother a janitor.
His accomplice, Mahmadkhon Shodikhonov, was convicted under two charges—terrorism and aiding a crime (Part 2, Article 179, and Part 5, Article 36)—and sentenced to 13 years. Meanwhile, Kiyomidin Faizulloev received a two-year prison term for failing to report the crime (Part 1, Article 347).
Initially, authorities classified the attack as hooliganism, but further investigation uncovered «new circumstances,» and an expert review confirmed extremist elements in the crime, Mirzozoda explained.
«In cases like this, expert analysis often reveals certain books and videos, especially when examining mobile phones. That’s why conducting such assessments is crucial,» the Supreme Court head noted.
