Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov

Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2] (10 October 1963 — 22 May 2022), commonly known as Colonel Boqir, was an Isma'ili Shia Pamiri political figure, at one point associated with the United Tajik Opposition political alliance, from the Barkhorugh microraion of the city of Khorugh in the Badakhshan Mountainous Autonomous Region of Tajikistan.[1][2][3] He has been variously described as someone who was either a warlord or popular oppositionist, by his enemies and supporters respectively.[4]

Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov
Native name
Муҳаммадбоқир Муҳаммадбоқиров
Nickname(s)Colonel Boqir
Born(1963-10-10)October 10, 1963
Khorugh, Shughnon District, Badakhshan Mountainous Autonomous Region, Tajik SSR, Soviet Union
DiedMay 22, 2022(2022-05-22) (aged 58)
Khorugh, Shughnon District, Badakhshan Mountainous Autonomous Region, Tajikistan
AllegianceUnited Tajik Opposition (1993–1997)
Tajikistan (1997–2006)
ServiceTajik Border Service
Years of service1997–2006
RankLieutenant Colonel
UnitMurghob border detachment
Signature

Opposition fighter and border guard

With the beginning of the Tajikistani Civil War in 1992, Muhammadboqirov became associated with the United Tajik Opposition, participating in combat against government forces in the Tavildara district.[4]

As a result of the end of the Tajikistani Civil war in 1997, it was agreed that United Tajik Opposition forces would be integrated into the Tajik Border Service. Due to the withdrawal of Russian military forces from the borders of Tajikistan around this time, a sense of confusion was widespread among the Tajik border troops. In this atmosphere, Muhammadboqirov revealed his strong leadership ability and climbed the ranks, rising to the position of lieutenant colonel.[4][3] He was given control over the Murghob border detachment, monitoring the border crossing of Tajikistan and China.[5][6]

Dismissal

In 2006, after his military unit seized 730 kilograms of drugs being smuggled across the state border, he fell out of favour with the ruling authorities, and was dismissed from his position.[4] This was seen by the opposition as part of the government's plan to gain full control over the illicit trade along the country's section of the Pamir Highway.[3] Massive protests followed in the region, demanding the resignation of regional governor Alimuhammad Niyozmuhammadov. While the government had initially issued an order for Muhammadboqirov's arrest, the protests succeeded in preventing its implementation.[7]

Political opposition

During the 2012 Badakhshan Mountainous Autonomous Region clashes, government military forces entered Khorugh, intending to assassinate both Tolibbek Ayyombekov and Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov in order to take full political and economic control of the area. Although Ayyombekov surrendered and former opposition commander Imomnazar Imomnazarov was killed, Muhammadboqirov was able to survive the events, remaining one of the last few independent political leaders in the autonomous region.[8][3]

In November 2012, during the aftermath of the clashes, Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov as well as other informal leaders, including Tolibbek Ayyombekov and Yodgorshoh Muhammadaslamov, were entered, at the request of the Tajik government, into ICPO-INTERPOL's database of wanted persons.[9] They remained in it until January 2013, when the names were removed from the database.[10]

In 2018, following brief tensions, all 7 informal leaders of Badakhshan[lower-alpha 3] signed a protocol with the government, agreeing not to interfere in the activities of government agencies. In exchange for their agreement, all legal cases against them were dropped, and they were no longer officially referred to as criminals. Additionally, the government ceased demanding that they turn over all weapons in their possession. Following the signing of the protocol, the informal leaders were invited to meet Tajik president Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe. Whilst 4 of them did attend, Muhammadboqirov was among those that did not accept the invitation.[6][4]

On 22 February 2021, Muhammadboqirov was admitted to a hospital in Khrough, due to his condition suddenly worsening. His daughter Bargigul Muhammadboqirova, who is a medical student at Saint Petersburg State University, claimed to have identified signs of poisoning, though a source in the hospital told Radioi Ozodi that he was simply suffering from a case of sinal inflammation.[11]

Following the arrest of Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov's brother Tohir Muhammadboqirov, as well as the killing of Pamiri civilian Gulbiddin Ziyobekov by the Tajik Militsiya in Tavdem in November 2021, major unrest once again returned to the region in the form of the 2021 and 2022 protests in the Badakhshan Mountainous Autonomous Region.[12][13][1] Announcing his participation in the protests, Muhammadboqirov said:[14]

“The lawlessness, injustice, corruption, abuse of office, violation of every human right, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press has provoked me, a lone citizen of Tajikistan, into protesting against state employees.”

Death

In an analysis of the situation made by some media outlets, the outbreak of war in Ukraine in February 2022 caused international attention to shift away from Tajikistan, which the government saw as an opportunity to increase its control over Badakhshan.[1][15] Against this backdrop, Rizo Nazarzoda, the mayor of Khorugh, demanded that Muhammadboqirov surrender himself to the authorities, accusing him of having attacked Badakhshan education official Lutfulloh Navruzov. This accusation was denied by Muhammadboqirov, who stated that he had never committed any violations of the law.[16][14]

On 4 March 2022, Muhammadboqirov claimed that he came under fire while in his car, sustaining some damage to his right hand, while his son was also in the vehicle. Azam Tolezoda, deputy head of the Department of Internal Affairs of Badakhshan region, claimed that vehicle inspectors had only fired a warning shot to make Muhammadboqirov stop his car.[17]

On 18 May 2022, the government officially launched an “anti-terror operation” in Khorugh, seeking to suppress the then-ongoing protests. A few days later, on 23 May, Muhammadboqirov was killed by sniper fire.[12][18][19] One local was killed and another injured as they attempted to come to Muhammadboqirov's aid. Although the government officially denied any involvement in his death, Khorugh locals reported witnessing government forces committing the killing. A drone was spotted flying overhead as the killing took place, filming the entire event.[3] A source in the interior ministry of Tajikistan reportedly told Pamir Daily News that the video was later shown to Emomali Rahmon by First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Abdurrahmon Alamshohzoda.[20]

Aftermath

Following his death, thousands of Khorugh residents attended his funeral, despite preventative roadblocks having been placed along the streets by the government.[3] The leader of the funeral processions, religious scholar Muzaffar Davlatmirov, was later arrested and sentenced to 5 years in prison.[21] Tohir Abdolbekov, former chairman of the public utility office, was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for attending it.[22] Muhammadboqirov's brothers Akram Muhammadboqirov and Tohir Muhammadboqirov were also sentenced to 8 and 28 years in prison, respectively.[23]

Of the 7 prominent informal leaders of Badakhshan who signed an agreement with the government in 2018, only one remains neither imprisoned nor killed. Shortly after Muhammadboqirov's death, Zoir Rajabov and Khursand Mazorov were also killed.[24][25] Describing his role in the killings at a meeting with authorities of Khatlon region, Tajik president Emomali Rahmon stated:[26]

“I gave the order to open fire!”

Munavvar Shanbiyev, Amriddin Alovatshoyev, and Tolibbek Ayyombekov, meanwhile, were arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. Only Yodgorshoh Muhammadaslamov managed to avoid either fate, due to having retired from politics a few years prior and now living the life of an ordinary citizen in Porshinev.[27][28]

International reactions

Iran Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov was described by Ahlul-Bayt News Agency, the official news agency of the Ahlul-Bayt World Assembly headed by Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, as a mujahid who was martyred.[29]

The Iraqi Shia paramilitary group Kata'ib Hezbollah condemned the killing of Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov, describing him as a martyr. The group added that the Tajik government should cease its suppression of the protests in Badakhshan.[30]

Hezbollah Al-Ahed News, owned by the Lebanese Communication Group of the Shia paramilitary group Hezbollah, blamed the government of Tajikistan for Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov's killing, describing him as a martyr.[31]

Azerbaijan Tohid Ibrahimbeyli, head of the Islamic Resistance Movement of Azerbaijan, a Shia paramilitary group from Azerbaijan, declared Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov a martyr.[32]

Personal life

As per Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov's Russian patrynomic, Karamalishoyevich,[2] his father was named Karamalishoh Muhammadboqirov.

He had a son,[17] as well as a daughter who is named Bargigul Muhammadboqirova,[11] and brothers named Tohir Muhammadboqirov[13] and Akram Muhammadboqirov.[23]

Notes
    • Tajiki: Муҳаммадбоқир Муҳаммадбоқиров, Perso-Arabic script: محمدباقر محمدباقراف, pronounced [muhæmmæd̪bɔˈqiɾ muhæmmad̪bɔqiɾˈuf]
    • Russian: Мухаммадбокир Карамалишоевич Мухаммадбокиров, romanized: Mukhammadbokir Karamalishoyevich Mukhammadbokirov
  2. Other variants of his name include the colloquial Tajiki-language Mahmadboqir Mahmadboqirov (Маҳмадбоқир Маҳмадбоқиров, مَحمدباقر مَحمدباقراف) and Mamadboqir Mamadboqirov (Мамадбоқир Мамадбоқиров, ممدباقر ممدباقراف), as well as their Russian-language equivalents Makhmadbokir Makhmadbokirov (Махмадбокир Махмадбокиров) and Mamadbokir Mamadbokirov (Мамадбокир Мамадбокиров).
  3. As of 2018, the 7 informal leaders of Badakhshan were Amriddin Alovatshoyev, Khursand Mazorov, Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov, Munavvar Shanbiyev, Tolibbek Ayyombekov, Yodgorshoh Muhammadaslamov and Zoir Rajabov.[6]

References
  1. Lundström, Klas (2023-05-01). "Tajikistan's Pamirs: A Perfect Political Storm on the Roof of the World". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  2. "ОГОҲОНИДАНИ саркардагони гурӯҳҳои муташаккили ҷиноятии шаҳри Хоруғ ва ноҳияҳои Шуғнону Роштқалъа" [WARNING to the leaders of organized criminal groups in the city of Khorugh and the districts of Shughnon and Roshtqal'a] (PDF). Boju Khiroj. No. 1142. Dushanbe: State Tax Committee of Tajikistan. 2018-11-08. p. 13. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  3. Levi-Sanchez, Suzanne (2022-08-03). "The assassination that shook the Pamir Mountains to the core". openDemocracy. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  4. "Мамадбоқир Мамадбоқиров: лидери мардумӣ, ҷинояткор ва ё мухолиф?" [Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov: a Popular Leader, a Criminal, or an Oppositionist?]. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Tajik). 2022-05-26. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  5. Kucera, Joshua (2022-06-28). "The Tajiks Who Fight Their Own Government". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  6. Nazarov, Shavkat (2018-10-31). "Семь самураев: Рахмону удалось подтвердить свою власть над Памиром" [Seven Samurai: Rahmon managed to confirm his power over the Pamirs]. Ferghana Information Agency (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  7. "'Вазъият дар Хоруғ ором аст'" ['The situation is calm in Khorugh']. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Tajik). 2007-09-25. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  8. "Tajikistan: Gorno-Badakhshan Rally Turns Violent After Commander Assassinated". Eurasianet. 2012-08-22. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  9. Tursunzoda, Mehrangez (2012-11-03). "Informal leaders of Gorno Badakhshan wanted via Interpol". Asia-Plus. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  10. Tursunzoda, Mehrangez (2013-01-17). "Из базы Интерпола исключены четверо неформальных лидеров ГБАО" [Four informal leaders of GBAO removed from Interpol database]. Asia-Plus (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  11. "Мамадбоқир Мамадбоқировро дар шифохонаи Хоруғ бистарӣ кардаанд" [Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov was hospitalized in Khorugh hospital]. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Tajik). 2021-03-01. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  12. Soliev, Nodirbek; Pantucci, Raffaello (2023-01-01). "Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan". Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses. 15 (1): 82–91. ISSN 2382-6444. JSTOR 48707914. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  13. "بازگشت ناآرامی‌ها به بدخشان با دستگیری طاهر محمدباقراف" [The return of unrest to Badakhshan with the arrest of Tohir Muhammadboqirov]. Tasnim News Agency (in Persian). 2022-01-05. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  14. "Khorog mayor demands that Mamadboqirov surrender". Asia-Plus. 2022-02-08. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  15. "Reviewing the consequences of the conflict between Eastern and Western powers in Central Asia". Islamic World News. 2022-07-16. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
  16. "Шаҳрдори Хоруғ аз Маҳмадбоқир хост, таслим шавад" [The mayor of Khorugh asked Muhammadboqir to surrender]. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Tajik). 2022-02-07. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  17. "Маҳмадбоқир Маҳмадбоқиров мегӯяд, захмӣ шудааст. Мақомот мегӯянд, ба ҳаво тир холӣ карданд" [Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov says he was injured. Officials say they fired into the air.]. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Tajik). 2022-03-04. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  18. "Tajikistan: Local residents say Pamiri leader killed by government troops". Eurasianet. 2022-05-22. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  19. Rahmani, Marzieh (2022-05-23). "Tajik Shia leader assassinated in Khorog". Mehr News Agency. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  20. "Год назад государтсвенному террору был подвергнут Мамадбокир Мамадбокиров" [One year ago, Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov was subjected to state terror]. Pamir Daily News (in Russian). 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  21. Kholiqzod, Mirzonabi (2022-08-04). "В Хороге халифа Музаффар Давлатмиров приговорен к 5 годам колонии" [Khalifa Muzaffar Davlatmirov sentenced to 5 years in prison in Khorugh]. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  22. "СОЛГАРДИ ҚАТЛИ БОҚИР – САРКАШТАРИН ЛИДЕРИ ҒАЙРИРАСМИИ БАДАХШОН" [The one-year anniversary of the killing of Boqir - The most rebellious unofficial leader of Badakhshan]. Bomdod News Agency (in Tajik). 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  23. "Бародарони Мамадбоқир Мамадбоқиров маҳкум ба зиндон шуданд" [The brothers of Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov were sentenced to prison]. Azda.tv (in Tajik). 2022-08-18. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  24. "Зоир Раджабов и Хурсанд Мазоров "нейтрализованы" в ходе спецоперации в Хороге" [Zoir Rajabov and Khursand Mazorov "neutralized" during a special operation in Khorugh]. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Russian). 2022-06-13. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  25. ""Бомдод": таджикистанские силовики застрелили двух предпоследних неформальных лидеров Горного Бадахшана" [Bomdod: Tajik security forces shot dead two penultimate informal leaders of Gorno-Badakhshan]. Mediazona (in Russian). 2022-06-12. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  26. Rizoi, Muhammadsaid (2022). "Murder and bloodshed in Badakhshan" (PDF). Magazine of the National Committee for the Release of Political Hostages and Prisoners of Tajikistan (4): 32–34.
  27. "Тафсилоти қатли лидерҳои Бадахшон ба дасти мақомот" [Details of the killing of Badakhshan leaders by the authorities]. Surush (in Tajik). 2022-06-12. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  28. Aioubov, Salimjon (2022-11-25). "Tajikistan Hands Down Five Life Sentences Amid Badakhshan Clampdown". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  29. "Mamadbokir, Tajik Shiite figure, martyred". AhlulBayt News Agency. 2022-05-23. Retrieved 2023-05-18. Mamadbokir Mamadbokirov, a mujahid and one of the most influential Ismaili Shiites in the Badakhshan region, was assassinated by a sniper and martyred.
  30. "معزية باستشهاد خدائي وباقروف.. كتائب حزب الله: الشهيدان كسروا شوكة الأعداء ونذروا انفسهم لتحرير الامة من الانحلال" [Condolences on the martyrdom of Khodaei and Boqirov.. Kata'ib Hezbollah: The two martyrs broke the thorn of the enemies and vowed themselves to save the ummah from dismantlement]. Kata'ib Hezbollah (in Arabic). 2022-05-23. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  31. "طاجيكستان.. الحكومة تنفّذ عمليات اغتيال.. وباقـروف شهيدًا" [Tajikistan.. the government carries out assassinations.. and Boqirov was martyred]. Al-Ahed News (in Arabic). 2022-05-23. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  32. "محمدباقر محمد باقروف رهبر شیعیان تاجیکستان لحظاتی قبل ترور و به شهادت رسید" [Muhammadboqir Muhammadboqirov, a leader of Tajikistan's Shias, was assassinated and martyred moments ago...]. Azerbaijan Studies Center (in Persian). 2022-05-22. Retrieved 2023-06-25 – via Telegram.
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