Twenty-four inmates killed during ISIL prison riot's suppression in Tajikistan - Justice Ministry
DUSHANBE. May 20 (Interfax) - Twenty-four followers of ISIL (a terrorist organization banned in Russia) have been killed during the suppression of a prison riot in the city of Vahdat near Dushanbe, 35 persons have been detained, and hostages have been freed, the press service of the Tajik Justice Ministry's Main Penitentiary Directorate said in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, three security guards and five inmates were killed as a result of the riot.
The Tajik authorities blamed ISIL for the riot. Behruz Gulmurod, the son of former Tajik Interior Ministry Col. Gulmurod Khalim who was fighting for terrorists in Syria, has been named as one of the riot instigators.
"The riot was organized by members of the ISIL terrorist organization, and its instigators were Behruz Gulmurod, the son of former colonel and traitor Gulmurod Khalim who was killed in Syria, as well as Fahriddin Gulov, Mahmadullo Sharipov, and Ruhullo Khasanov," the Tajik news agency Khovar quoted the statement as saying.
According to the statement, the riot in Penitentiary 3/2 in Vahdat was organized by persons convicted of illegal recruitment to armed units participating in military conflicts or hostilities in another country (Article 401-1 of the Tajik Criminal Code) as an escape plan.
"First, members of the aforesaid group cruelly stabbed three security guards with knives, [...], killed them, and released eight other inmates, also aligned with the ISIL terrorist organization, from the isolation ward," the statement said.
"After that they cruelly stabbed five inmates with knives for intimidation purposes, [...] killed them, and attacked and injured dozens of other inmates," it said.
The rioters set fire to the infirmary and took several inmates hostage.
"The countermeasures, which were taken in accordance with the law, helped neutralize 24 members of the group and detain 35 more. The hostages were released," the statement said.
The Tajik Prosecutor General's Office opened a criminal case and started an inquiry.
"Order has been restored in the penitentiary, which holds 1,500 inmates, and the situation has been taken under control," the statement said.