DUSHANBE, May 14, 2009, Asia-Plus – Uzbek border guards have shot and killed a Tajik citizen, RFE/RL''s Tajik Service reported on May 13.

The incident took place along the Tajik-Uzbek border in Uzbekistan''s Khavos district, adjacent to Tajikistan''s northern Suhd province.

Locals told RFE/RL that Alisher Qoiquziev, 34, was riding a motorcycle on his way back from Uzbekistan when Uzbek border guards demanded that he stop.

Qoiquziev refused, saying he had already passed checks.

The border guards opened fire with machine guns and killed him.

Tajik-Uzbek agreements allow locals living in districts near the border to visit each country without a visa for up to five days.