QURGHON TEPPA, July 12, 2013, Asia-Plus -- Over the first six months of this year, the Khatlon law enforcement agencies have reportedly solved 17 extremist crimes.

Anvar Nazarov, an aide to the Khatlon chief prosecutor, says 15 criminal proceedings have been instituted against 21 persons under the provisions of three articles of Tajikistan’s Penal Code: Article 189 – inciting ethnic, racial, regional or religious enmity; Article 189 – organizing criminal group; and Article 307 – organizing extremist group.

“Four cases instituted against seven persons have already moved to courts.  Trial in two cases has been completed and the defendants have been convicted, while four cases instituted against five persons have been suspended in connection with search for suspects,” said Nazarov.  “The remaining cases are still under investigations.”

Of those 21 persons, 15 are residents of the village of Qizil Nishon in the Qubodiyon district, two are residents of the Shahritous district, two others are residents of the Khuroson district, one from the Jomi district, and one from the Vakhsh district.

According to Nazarov, the majority of them have been recruited into the extremist organizations, including the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), in Russia.