The Supreme Court has launched an internal investigation into the actions of the chairman of a court in Khatlon’s Shamsiddin-Shohin, Zohir Muminzoda, who is suspected of beating a border guard at the Darai Ob border checkpoint on July 8. 

Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service, known locally as Radio Ozodi, reported on July 16 that the border guard asked Muminzoda’s companion to present an identity document, after which the court chairman struck the serviceman several blows with his fist. 

Judges have the right to immunity, and therefore, the Supreme Court has launched the internal investigation. 

If Muminzoda is found guilty, his data will be transferred to the president for dismissal from office. 

The beating of the soldier was recorded on CCTV cameras.  The video shows how Zohir Muminzoda gets out of the car and punches the border guard several times with his fist.  

The Darai Ob border checkpoint is located on the border with Afghanistan and is considered a kind of gateway to the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO). Anyone traveling there must show identification.

Zohir Muminzoda was appointed the head of court in Shamsiddin-Shohin district of Khatlon province in 2017.   Prior to this, Muminzoda had served as judge at the Khatlon regional court.