DUSHANBE, January 9, Asia-Plus – Police in the southern Tajik city of Kulob have detained two people for attacking Abdumumin Sherkhonov, the editor in chief of the newspaper "Pazhvok" and an RFE/RL freelancer, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reported on January 8.

Both suspects have confessed to their participation in the attack. A third man sought for involvement in the crime has not yet been arrested.

Sherkhonov says he was on his way to work when three men stopped him. One of them introduced himself as an official of the Interior Ministry, presenting what he said was his ID. The men then threatened Sherkhonov with arrest.

When Sherkhonov refused to talk to them, they started beating him, knocking him to the pavement.

Police have not commented on the case.

Sherkhonov said the attack was probably related to his professional activities.