Participants in the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, which is being held in Warsaw, discussed situation in Pamir. President Emomali Rakhmon visited the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAR) of Tajikistan. He accused leadership of the region in cooperating with local drug dealers. Head of state instructed to restore order in the region within a month and, if necessary, use armed forces of the country in fight against crime. OSCE believes that Tajik leader's statement was regarded as a gross violation of international law and country's constitution.
Emomali Rahmon doesn't visit the GBAR that much. Economically depressed region has never been particularly loyal to the center. Authorities couldn't take complete control over it for a long time. During the civil war in Tajikistan Pamir was one of the bases of opposition. Many militants couldn't live in new reality of Tajikistan. Alim Sherzamonov, member of the Council of the National Alliance of Tajikistan, told Vestnik Kavkaza that population of the GBAR still doesn't agree with many initiatives of Dushanbe, starting with shaving beards and restrictions on holding family events. They are particularly irritated by appointments of representatives from Dushanbe and other regions of the republic to leading positions in the law enforcement structures, courts, prosecutor's office. According to him, Rahmon's regime managed to deal with political and military opponents in other parts of Tajikistan, but Badakhshan remains uncontrollable for a long time. In 2012, it was necessary to carry out military operation to bring order to the GBAR. At that time, it was explained by assassination of special services general Abdullo Nazarov. "Today authorities didn't even bother to come up with any excuses. They gathered information about all crimes committed in the GBAR over the past 5 years and presented them as a proof of rampant crime and prosperity of drug business. Although according to statistics, crime rate in the GBAR and in other regions of the republic is almost the same. It was exaggerated specifically to enable authorities to resolve their political issues. It's not a criminal issue or security issue," Sherzamonov said. Politician believes that Rahmon wanted to strengthen his positions in the region and decided to do it now, before presidential elections, scheduled for 2020.
Emomali Rahmon visited Pamir during celebration of Tajikistan's Independence Day. Khorog organized military parade on this occasion. Around 4000 soldiers participated in it, including those transferred from other regions. During his visit, Rahmon criticized officials for criminal situation in the GBAR and called all regional structures "crooked", since they are unable to deal with drug trafficking, organized crime and illegal possession of weapons. According to Rahmon, before his arrival to Khorog, 92 anti-tank shells were seized from the house of one of the residents. "There are 2 thousand civil servants in Khorog, and you can't deal with five or six criminals? I take responsibility for this myself: we will use armed forces if necessary," Rahmon said.
President demanded to do something about all crimes committed in the territory of the GBAR. He warned regional authorities that they will be dismissed in worst case. Head of state was outraged by the fact that criminals who killed traffic police officer weren't found yet. He also said that some leaders of law enforcement agencies are cooperating with criminal groups active in the territory of Khorog. "We have all necessary information, we will take strict measures against such people," Emomali Rahmon stressed.
President's statement caused mixed reactions in Pamir. Residents of Khorog talk about repetition of the 2012 events, when authorities used helicopters to attack the city during military operation. One-day war claimed lives of 21 civilians and over 200 soldiers of Tajik army.
During the OSCE meeting it was noted that Rahmon's "statement is a gross violation of the country's constitution and international law." "Making this statement in such a difficult situation is simply irresponsible, if not criminal. A month earlier, Rahmon publicly declared Shia Islam banned in Tajikistan. This is not the first statement that sows interethnic discord in the country," Alim Sherzamonov said.
Personnel reshuffles began in the GBAR on Monday. According to the "Ozodi" radio (Tajik branch of Radio Liberty) chairman of the GBAR Shodikhon Jamshedov, introducing his new deputies, said that their candidacies were discussed with President.
Meanwhile, representatives of military stuctures, commenting on Rahmon's statement on the use of armed forces, noted that they will be used only in emergency situations. "Right now situation in Khorog is under control. There were some previous cases, when we had to use force, but it's not one of them," Secretary of the Security Council of Tajikistan said.
