A court in Khatlon province has sentenced the 23-year-old Muhriddin Boqiev to 25 years in prison for the brutal killing of his acquaintance, Davronjon Sanginov.

Varqa Zayniddin, senior assistant to the regional prosecutor, told Asia-Plus in an interview that Boqiyev had previously been convicted under Article 376 of the Criminal Code -- evasion of military service through self-harm or other means.

On April 10, 2025, Boqiyev reportedly met Sanginov, 39, at the central market in Jaloliddin-Balkhi district, where he asked to borrow 15,000 somonis.  Days later, on April 19, the two went for an outing in the hills near the village of Dousti.  During the gathering, an argument escalated into a fight.  Sanginov fell from a height of about 12 meters and lost consciousness.

Prosecutors said Boqiyev, realizing his companion was helpless, poured gasoline on him and set him on fire.  He then took Sanginov’s belongings — including a mobile phone worth 1,000 somonis and a bank card — and later withdrew 12,100 somonis from his account.

Boqiyev was charged under two articles of Tajikistan’s Penal Code: Article 104 – murder and Article 255 – property damage.

The Khatlon regional court found him guilty on both counts and sentenced him to 25 years in prison.  Boqiyev will serve his jail term in a high-security penal colony.