Tajikistan International Ministry Spokesperson Shokhin Samadi informed Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti Saturday that claims by Secretary of the Russian Safety Council Nikolai Patrushev that Ukraine has been recruiting mercenaries for its army in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, the nation’s capital, are false.
The denial comes as a response to Wednesday allegations from Patrushev that the Ukrainian embassy in Dushanbe has been recruiting Tajikistani residents to affix the Worldwide Legion. The International Legion is a legion of the Ukrainian military made up of overseas fighters, with a pathway to Ukrainian citizenship for many who select to remain within the nation. RIA Novosti alleged these feedback have been made throughout a Shangai Cooperation Group (SCO) occasion. The SCO is an Eurasian political and army protection block established in 2001 by China and Russia, of which each Russia and Tajikistan are members.
Samadi responded to the allegations, claiming they haven’t any foundation and that Tajikistani authorities are taking measures to forestall any diplomatic presence within the nation from violating the necessities of their diplomatic standing, together with by way of army recruitment. Underneath Article 401 of the Tajikistan Criminal Code, it’s unlawful to rent mercenaries to take part in overseas conflicts and for mercenaries to take part in overseas armed conflicts. Each actions are punishable by as much as 12 years imprisonment.
The allegations come as diplomatic relations between Tajikistan and Russia are below pressure as a result of latest attack on Crocus Music Corridor outdoors Moscow, which led to the deaths of 60 and the harm of 110. ISIS claimed duty for the assault. One of many alleged terrorists liable for the assault, arrested in Russia, was Tajikistani, and 9 others have been detained for alleged participation within the assault in Tajikistan. Retired Russian Colonel Bakhtier Rakhmonov alleged to RIA Novosti that a number of of these concerned within the assault have been recruited by way of the Ukrainian Embassy in Dushanbe. Ukraine has denied any involvement within the Crocus assault.
Tajikistan and Russia have traditionally had robust ties, with the international locations signing the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in 1993 and Russia maintaining a army base in Tajikistan. The nation additionally depends heavily on constant financial help from Moscow, although assist has declined because the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Crocus assaults, coupled with the declining assist as a result of Russian invasion and Tajikistan’s continued membership within the Worldwide Prison Courtroom (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, has triggered diplomatic tensions between the international locations to develop during the last two years.
