A 22-year-old resident of Dushanbe, Anushervon Sharifzoda, has been detained on suspicion of hitting a traffic police officer, who died from the injuries sustained, the Dushanbe Police Department says.

The accident reportedly occurred on the night of January 13, 2025.  The young man, who did not have a driver’s license, was driving an Opel Astra belonging to his father.

"While driving along S. Sherozi Street, Sharifzoda failed to comply with the lawful demands of traffic police officers and subsequently struck Major B. Saidalizoda, who was on duty.  After the accident, the suspect fled the scene," the Department's statement said.

The traffic police officer sustained severe injuries and died en route to the hospital.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against Sharifzoda under two articles of Tajikistan’s Penal Code: Articles 212 -- violation of traffic rules; and Article 127 -- leaving a person in danger resulting in death.  The young man is currently under arrest and an investigation is under way.

Under Article 212, the offender could face a fine of up to 500 calculating indicators (one indicator equals to 75.00 somonis), restriction of freedom for up to 3 years, detention for 3 to 6 months, or imprisonment for up to 2 years.

Under Article 127, the penalty may include restriction of freedom for up to 3 years or imprisonment for up to 2 years.

It is worth noting that a similar accident involving the hitting of a traffic police officer occurred in 2023.  In that case, as in the current situation, the driver fled the scene of the accident.