The press center of the Prosecutor-General’s Office has given some details of the beating of young woman Madina Mamadjonova, who is currently in grave condition, by Aziza Davlatova, the wife of an executive of the Megafon cellular communications company Lutfullo Davlatov.
The press center says the Directorate for Especially Important Criminal Cases of the Prosecutor-General’s Office has accepted the case for further investigation following an application by Zulfiya Aimova, the mother of the victim.
“After re-checking the facts, the Prosecutor-General’s Office has instituted criminal proceedings against Aziza Davlatova under the provisions of two articles of Tajikistan’s Penal Code: Article 32 (3) – preparation for crime and attempted crime; and Article 104 (1) – attempted murder. Criminal proceedings against Lutfullo Davlatov have been instituted under the provisions of Article 117’ (2) – torture. The suspects were taken under custody,” the press center says.
Meanwhile, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service says Lutfullo Davlatov is believed to have connections among senior Tajik officials.
Recall, Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament) Rustam Emomali, who is also the Mayor of Dushanbe, has taken the case under his personal control and ordered the city police and prosecutor's office to investigate the case after human rights activists raised concerns over the situation on social networks.
The victim, Madina Mamadjonova, was reportedly having an affair with Lutfullo Davlatov. She went missing on August 25 and was found fourteen hours later with severe injuries. She remains hospitalized in serious condition.
According to RFE/RL’s Tajik Service, doctors say Madina might be left permanently paralyzed.
Aziza Davlatova was detained initially on suspicion of assaulting Madina Mamadjonova, but was later released under a recently announced mass amnesty to mark the 30th anniversary of Tajikistan's independence. Tajik authorities have launched investigation into Madina’s beating following outcry by human rights activists.