Three more supporters of ex-Tajik deputy defense minister detained
DUSHANBE. Sept 8 (Interfax) - Several more supporters of former Tajik Deputy Defense Minister Abdukhalim Nazarzoda have been detained in the Ramit Gorge, the press center of the Tajik Interior Ministry and the National Security Committee reported on Tuesday.
"Officers of the Interior Ministry, National Security Committee and other law enforcement agencies detained three members of the criminal ring led by Abdukhalim Nazarzoda in a joint special operation in the Ramit Gorge in the Vakhdat district. Moreover, a large number of small arms, including five AKM assault rifles, bullets of various calibers and so on were recovered," a statement on the Interior Ministry's website reads.
The special operation in the Ramit Gorge has continued, it reads.
The detention of 14 members of Nazarzoda's criminal ring was reported on Monday.
No less than 40 people were injured in September 4 clashes masterminded by Nazarzoda.
Nazarzoda, 51, graduated from the Russian Combined Arms Academy in 2005. He was first deputy commander of the Tajik Ground Forces from 2005-2007. He then headed the Tajik Defense Ministry's department for troop management and security. He was appointed deputy Tajik defense minister in 2014.
The general managed to create a group of more than 100 loyal servicemen. He is hiding in the Ramit Gorge.
The Tajik Prosecutor General's Office launched a criminal case against Nazarzoda and close associate Junaidullo Umarov charging them with terrorism, high treason, organization of an extremist group and sabotage.
"Charges against Nazarzoda were brought in absentia. If he is detained in the Ramit Gorge alive, he will be arrested on the spot and taken to a pre-trial detention center in Dushanbe where he will stay until a court delivers a verdict in his case," the source with the Tajik Prosecutor General's Office said.
The Tajik Prosecutor General's Office has already gathered several volumes of evidence proving that Nazarzoda is guilty, he said.