Citizens of Tajikistan who were deported from St. Petersburg in early February have no relation to extremist or terrorist activity, Tajik Embassy in Russia reports.

According to the Embassy, on February 8 this year Russian law enforcement authorities have conducted a joint campaign in St. Petersburg’s Apraksin Dvor market which resulted in the arrest of dozens of parishioners on suspicion of terrorism and extremism. There were citizens of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Afghanistan, residents of Russian North Caucasus republics and citizens of Tajikistan.

Among others the police have arrested residents of Khatlon Province of Tajikistan – 27 year-old Ahliddin Ayenov, and 41-year-old Nurullo Ayenov, 24-year-old resident of Rudaki region Mahmadullo Gafurov, and 27-year-old resident of Dushanbe Abdukahhor Jobirov.

“However, all the listed above citizens of Tajikistan were deported for violation of the rules of stay in Russia (for lack of related documents), not for having links with terrorism or extremism,” the Embassy stressed.