DUSHANBE, July 29, 2009, 2008, Asia-Plus -- I do not consider those four residents of Khorog, with whom I signed protocol, criminals, because nobody can be found guilty until court passes sentence, and therefore, any statements calling them criminals are “in accurate,” Minister of Interiors Mahmadnazar Solehov announced at a press conference in Dushanbe today.   

He reminded that a number of demonstrations were held in Khorog, Gorno Badakhshan in June and four residents of Khorog appealed to the president.  “By president’s instruction I headed the government delegation and held a number of meetings with Khorog residents and local clerics,” the minister said, noting that more than 250 illegally possessed weapons were voluntarily handed over to local law enforcement agencies from June 20 to July 17.   

“As a whole, the situation in Gorno Badakhshan is stable and under control of the government and the law enforcement authorities,” Solehov said.   

We will recall that Minister if Interiors Mahmadnazar Solehov, heads of GBAO law enforcement agencies and local informal leaders namely Imomnazar Imomnazarov, Tolibbek Ayombekov, Yodgorsho Mamadaslamov and Mamadboqir Mamadboqirov singed a protocol of intention on maintaining public order in Khorog on July 1.  According to the GBAO regional government, the protocol provides for stoppage of any kind of interference of citizens in performance of tasks and duties of local authorities and law enforcement agencies.  Any arising disputes should be settled in accordance with procedure established by law, through application to relevant bodies of local authorities and central government.  Under the protocol, all citizens illegally possessing weapons should hand over them to the relevant bodies before July 14, 2008.  The protocol also bans any unauthorized gatherings and rallies that destabilize social-political situation and public order in the region.  

 The protocol also noted that deployment and transfer of troops and military units is an exclusive competence of the Supreme Commander in Chief – President of the Republic of Tajikistan, and any interference of citizens of Tajikistan and persons without citizenship into this process and activities of the mentioned units in Gorno Badakhshan will be considered as anti-Constitutional action.

Residents of Khorog namely Imomnazar Imomnazarov, Tolibbek Ayombekov, Yodgorsho Mamadaslamov and Mamadboqir Mamadboqirov jointly with representatives of local law enforcement agencies were to provide fulfillment of the protocol’s provision on handover of illegally possessed weapons before July 14.