In Dushanbe, an 18-year-old resident of Dushanbe, Lutfullo R., has been detained on suspicion of committing murder motivated by a conflict that originated on social media, the press center of the Dushanbe Police Directorate says. 

Investigators report that the crime resulted from a prolonged feud stemming from online arguments, which escalated into hatred and spilled over from the virtual realm into real life.

"On December 5 of this year, Lutfullo R. met with a 20-year-old resident of Hisor, Shahrom Mirzoyev, on Ismoili Somoni Avenue.  A conflict arose between them, which escalated into a fight.  During the altercation, the suspect inflicted more than eight stab wounds on Mirzoyev, which resulted in his death," the Directorate’s statement reads.

A criminal case has been initiated under Article 104 ("Murder") of the country's Criminal Code, and an investigation is underway.

In Tajikistan, knife violence among youth remains a frequent method of resolving conflicts and disputes. Social and cultural factors, including peer pressure, a lack of emotional maturity, and the accessibility of bladed weapons, contribute to verbal disagreements often escalating into violent confrontations.

To address this issue, Tajikistan has been conducting the "Knife" operation since 2019, aimed at reducing crimes involving bladed weapons, particularly among teenagers and young people.