DUSHANBE, April 30, 2013, Asia-Plus – Confederates of former field commander of the United Tajik Opposition (UTO), Mirzokhouja Ahmadov, say they have suffered the persecution from the authorities lately.

One of Ahmadov’s supporters, who wanted to remain unnamed, told Asia-Plus Tuesday by phone from the Rasht district that three confederates of Mirzokhouja Ahmadov – Qamariddin Hakimov, Abdulhomid Shohijangov and Rahmatullo Muminov -- have been arrested over the past six months alone.

“Qamariddin Hakimov and Abdulhomid actively participated in a military operation carried out by government forces against Mullo Abdullo,” said the source.  “However, Qamarididn Hakimov was sentenced to 25 years last autumn following the charges of participating in a criminal group and other crimes and Abdulhomid Shohijangov was detained allegedly with a consignment of weapons and narcotics.  Rahmatullo Muminov was also recently arrested on farfetched charges.”

He further added that it could not be ruled out that the authorities have decided to throw all supporters of Ahmadov into prison.

Tajik law enforcement authorities still have refrained from commenting on the situation.

Mirzokhouja Ahmadov and his fighters are natives of the Rasht Valley.  Ahmadov was one of field commanders of the former UTO during the civil war in the mid-1990s but was later appointed to a senior police post as part of a broader attempt at reintegrating former opposition militant leader.  He served as the chief of the regional department empowered to combat organized crime in Rasht Valley until he was forced into early retirement in 2008.

On September 19, 2010, at least 28 government servicemen were killed in an ambush in Rasht''s Kamarob Gorge that the government blamed on Abdullo Rahimov (Mullo Abdullo) and Alovuddin Davlatov (Ali Bedaki).  Mirzokhouja Ahmadov and his followers laid down their weapons and joined the government forces in a military operation against Abdullo Rahimov and Alovuddin Davlatov, who were killed earlier this year.