The body of Ismoil Rahmonov, a lecturer at the Tajik State University of Commerce (TSUC), who was reportedly abducted and thrown into the Fondaryo River by a police officer two years ago, remains missing.  His family says they have lost hope of ever recovering his remains.

Speaking to Asia-Plus, Rahmonov’s nephew, Ahliddin Sharipov, confirmed that despite the passage of time, no trace of his uncle’s body has been found.

“We contacted the authorities several times after the incident to ask whether the body had been recovered.  They told us the search was ongoing.  We also searched on our own, but without success. Two years have passed, and we’ve lost hope,” said Sharipov.

It remains unclear whether official search efforts are still active.  The Emergencies Committee under the Government of Tajikistan did not respond to Asia-Plus's inquiries, and journalists who visited the Committee’s offices also received no answer.

A case that shocked the nation

Rahmonov was kidnapped on June 12, 2023, from one of Dushanbe’s residential districts.  According to the Prosecutor-General’s Office, former police lieutenant colonel Akmal Yusufzoda and his relative Ismoiljon Shukurov were detained in connection with the case.

Authorities said the pair abducted Rahmonov in the early hours of June 12, drove him to Ayni district, and, with the intent to kill, threw him into the Fondaryo River before fleeing the scene.

The Prosecutor’s Office claimed the motive was jealousy — Yusufzoda allegedly discovered a text conversation between his wife and the lecturer.  However, Rahmonov’s family denies any romantic involvement between the two, stating they were merely colleagues at TSUC.

No comment from the defense

Neither Yusufzoda, his lawyer, nor his family has publicly commented on the accusations.

On February 28, 2024, the Supreme Court of Tajikistan sentenced Yusufzoda to 19 years in prison for kidnapping (Article 130 (2) of Tajikistan’s Penal Code) and murder committed with exceptional cruelty (Article 104 (2) of Tajikistan’s Penal Code).  His accomplice, Ismoiljon Shukurov, received a 12-year sentence for kidnapping.

Despite the sentencing, the body of Ismoil Rahmonov remains unfound, leaving a void for his family and raising questions about the effectiveness of search efforts in such high-profile cases.