Arrest of Tajikistan’s Drug Czar Stirs Political Tension in Dushanbe

A tense mood has settled over the Tajik capital of Dushanbe following the arrest of the country's top anti-drug enforcer on a long list of criminal charges. Political analysts in Tajikistan believe the arrest of Drug Control Agency head Ghaffor Mirzoyev is politically motivated.

Mirzoyev was taken into custody on August 6, Tajik officials said. The country's prosecutor general, Bobojon Bobokhonov, said August 9 that Mirzoyev is facing prosecution for nine crimes, including illegal weapons possession, abuse of power, tax evasion and murder. Mirzoyev is expected to be arraigned within 10 days of his arrest. If convicted of all the charges, Mirzoyev could face up to 25 years in prison. In addition, two of Mirzoyev's brothers were taken into custody on illegal weapons charges.

Some observers in Dushanbe say the arrest is connected with an ongoing effort by President Imomali Rahmonov to purge political rivals as Tajikistan prepares to hold parliamentary elections in 2005 and presidential elections the year after. Mirzoyev was a top field commander for the victorious Popular Front during Tajikistan's 1992-97 civil war, helping to install Rahmonov in power. Over the past six years, Rahmonov has succeeded in removing most of his erstwhile allies from positions of authority. Prior to his arrest, Mirzoyev was among a handful of former pro-government commanders still in the top echelon of power.

There is concern in Dushanbe that Mirzoyev's arrest could prompt renewed political violence. According to some reports, Mirzoyev and his bodyguards used firearms in resisting arrest. Bobokhonov, the prosecutor general, denied that a gun battle had occurred. Nevertheless, rumors swept through Dushanbe over the weekend. One unconfirmed report stated that Mirzoyev himself had been wounded during a gunfight. Another suggested that Mirzoyev had escaped while being transferred from one detention facility to another.

What is known for sure is that authorities, upon arresting Mirzoyev, braced for the possibility of retaliation by his supporters. According to reports published by the Avesta news agency, government security forces were put on high alert on August 6. In addition, authorities are closely monitoring vehicular traffic into and out of Dushanbe.

Mirzoyev's political position has appeared tenuous since late January, when Rahmonov removed him as head of the presidential guard, then put him in charge of the Tajik Drug Control Agency three days later. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

A major factor in Mirzoyev's fall from grace was his support for Dushanbe Mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaidullaev, the chairman of the upper house of the Tajik legislature, and, reportedly, a potential Rahmonov rival for the presidency. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].