DUSHANBE, September 16, 2010, Asia-Plus -- A meeting of a delegation of Tajik power-wielding ministers with former opposition commanders that took place in Gharm, the administrative center of Rasht district on September 15 resulted in conclusion of an oral agreement between the sides.

The source at one of power-wielding structures of the country told Asia-Plus today that Interior Minister Abdurahim Qahhorov, Defense Minister Sherali Khairulloyev, State Committee for National Security deputy head Mansourjon Umarov and Deputy Prosecutor-General Abduqodir Muahmamdiyev met yesterday in Gharm with former United Tajik Opposition (UTO) filed commanders Mirzokhouja Ahmadov and Shoh Iskandarov.

“Shoh Iskandarov who enjoys authority over local population promised stability in the region in exchange for non-interference of authorities in their life activities,” said the source, “He reminded that the president guaranteed pardon for the previous deeds.”

According to him, the deputy chief prosecutor assured the former opposition commanders of their safety and noted that no criminal proceedings would be instituted against them.  “The other law enforcement officials noted that they would act in accordance with president’s order,” the source added.

Mirzokhouja Ahmadov told Asia-Plus yesterday by phone that there were many armed representatives of the government security forces in the region now.  “As far as I know, they are combing the area in the framework of a search operation for escaped prisoners,” Ahmadov said.

We will recall that Ahmadov warned in late July this year that he will take up arms if force is used against him and his supporters.  He stated that after investigation into murder of the commander of special police unit Oleg Zakharchenko was resumed and Ahmadov is accused of having been involved in killing of Zakharchenko.

The special police unit was attacked on February 2, 2008 after it was dispatched to the Rasht district headquarters of the regional state body empowered to combat organized crime. The police unit was reportedly seeking to arrest the head of the body, Mirzokhouja Ahmadov, but was fired upon by gunmen loyal to Ahmadov. Oleg Zakharchenko was the only person killed, although several policemen sustained injuries in the shoot-out.  Ahmadov was a member of the UTO during the country''s civil war in the mid-1990s but was later appointed to a senior police post as part of a broader attempt at reintegrating former rebel leaders.

In the meantime, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reported on September 15 that after the five-hour meeting, the law enforcement officials have assured Ahmadov and Iskandarov of their safety and told them that the government had sent forces to the district only to detain Mullo Abdullo (Abdullo Rahimov) and his supporters.  A source told RFE/RL that the government delegation asked Ahmadov and Iskandarov to help them in detain Mullo Abdullo, who is their former colleague.

Ahmadov, Iskandarov, and Mullo Abdullo were commanders in the UTO that fought in the 1992-97 Tajik civil war against the administration of President Emomali Rahmon.  After signing a peace agreement with the Tajik government, Ahmadov and Iskandarov were promoted to high-level positions in the Interior and Defense ministries, but Mullo Abdullo was not given a government post and began fighting against government forces.  A Tajik court found Mullo Abdullo and his fighters responsible for the murder of six UN military monitors in eastern Tajikistan in 1998.  He was also reported to have gone to Afghanistan and was linked to the Taliban before being detained there before returning to Tajikistan.

It is to be noted that relations between Tajik authorities and a number of former UTO field commanders in the Rasht region worsened in summer 2008.  The situation was settled by the president who met with former militants and proposed them to lay down arms in exchange for pardon.

The situation in the region, however, became aggravated in summer 2009.  In summer 2009, illegal armed groups clashed with police in Tavildara district on two separate occasions.  Tajik officials reported in early July last year that ex-Minister of Emergencies Mirzo Ziyoev had been arrested because of his support for armed groups suspected of involvement in terrorism and drug trafficking.  Tajik authorities announced shortly afterward that Ziyoev was killed in ambush by his supporters on his way to negotiate the disarming of insurgents.  His supporters deny any responsibility for his death.  In July 2009, Tajik law enforcement forces were fighting insurgents in the area for several weeks.  Some 50 insurgents were detained and 11 others were killed.  Tajik authorities conducted what they said was an anti-drug operation in the area.