Kyrgyzstan says stops Tajiks from joining Islamists in Syria
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 25 March 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kyrgyzstan says stops Tajiks from joining Islamists in Syria, 25 March 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/552f9d9d34.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 25, 2015
By RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service
BISHKEK – Kyrgyz authorities say they have prevented several Tajik nationals from joining Islamist militants in Syria.
Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security (UKMK) said on March 25 that three Tajik citizens, who had children with them, were stopped by Kyrgyz security officials in the southern city of Osh on March 22.
It said the Tajiks told Kyrgyz authorities that they planned to travel from Osh to Istanbul, Turkey, then cross into Syria to fight alongside Islamist militants battling government forces.
The security committee said the Tajiks said an unidentified man had invited them to Syria via the Internet.
It said the detainees were returned to Tajikistan after questioning.
Authorities in the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have said that hundreds of Central Asians are fighting alongside Islamic State and other militants in Syria.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
