In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe,  Rustam Mirzozoda, the Chairman of the Supreme Court of Tajikistan, on February 13 revealed the names of the assailant who attacked the country’s grand mufti, Saidmukarram Abdulqodirzoda, and his two accomplices.

According to Mirzozoda, Muhammadrofe Izzatullozoda was sentenced to 26 years in prison on multiple charges: Article 179 (2) of Tajikistan’s Penal Code – terrorism committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy based on national, racial, local, or religious hatred or enmity; Article 32 (3) – preparation and attempted crime; and Article 104 (2) – attempted murder for gain, contract killing, or revenge.

Mahmadkhon Shodikhonov was sentenced to 13 years under Article 179 (2) and Article 36 (5) -- a person who promoted commission of a crime by advises, instructions, information, providing with instruments and weapons or eliminating obstacles, as well as a person who promised beforehand to conceal an offender, weapons or instruments , or a person who promised to purchase or sell such articles, shall be deemed to be an accessory.

Qiyomiddin Fayzulloyev got a jail term of two years under Article 347 (1) of Tajikistan’s Penal Code - failure to report a crime.

Initially, the case was classified as hooliganism, but as the investigation progressed, new evidence emerged.  “Expert analysis confirmed elements of extremism in the crime,” Mirzozoda explained.

“In such cases, expert analysis often reveals certain books and videos, especially when checking mobile phones.  That’s why conducting such examinations is crucial," the Supreme Court head added.

The attack outside the mosque

The knife attack took place on September 11, 2024, outside the Central Mosque of Dushanbe.  Abdulqodirzoda reportedly sustained a stab wound to the forehead.  Officials initially reported that he sustained minor injuries and was sent home after medical examination.

At the time, the Interior Ministry’s press office said Abdulqodirzoda, the state-selected head of Tajikistan’s Muslims, was injured but is in stable condition.  The press office said the attacker injured the mufti “with a cutting tool out of a sense of hooliganism.”  The name and surname of the attacker were not disclosed, nor was the specific article under which criminal proceedings were instituted.

More than a month later, on October 17, Saidmukarram Abdulqodirzoda commented on the incident, stating that “this young man was one of the extremists.”

“This group is a kind of association of uneducated young people with a narrow worldview.  They claim to serve Islam.  But if you look at the roots of these radical groups, they are not Muslims.  They are recruited through the internet and social media.  Those who recruited, directed, and incited them, or were waiting for them, have actually never met them in person,” the mufti added.

On February 7, during his Friday sermon, Abdulqodirzoda mentioned the 26-year prison sentence for the attacker but later refused to provide further details in an interview with Asia-Plus.

In his sermon, he described the attacker as someone who had been "misled and deceived", not fully understanding the gravity of his actions.  

Later, Asia-Plus managed to find out that the young man was 24 years old and was a university student; his father is a schoolteacher, and his mother is a school janitor.

Abdulqodirzoda is 61 years old and has been the chairman of the Council of Ulema, the only fatwa-issuing body in Tajikistan, since 2010.