At Least Five Killed in Tajikistan Prison Riot Amid Escape Attempt

DUSHANBE (Reuters) – A violent prison riot in Vahdat, Tajikistan, has left at least five inmates dead and three prison employees seriously injured, according to security sources. Authorities confirmed the disturbance was due to an attempted escape on Tuesday.

Inmates Armed With Knives Attack Guards
The Ministry of Justice reported nine inmates, armed with homemade knives, attacked guards in an attempt to escape the facility, which is 20 km (12 miles) east of Dushanbe.

"As a result of the attack, three employees sustained serious injuries," the ministry said, adding that their condition is stable.

Among the injured is the head of the prison administration, who was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, a source said without revealing his identity, pointing to the sensitive nature of the incident.

Islamic State Ties Suspected

Amateur footage of the incident, which has been shared on Telegram but cannot be verified, depicts bodies of the prisoners splayed out in pools of blood. One of the inmates was reportedly seen wearing a hat bearing the Islamic State emblems.

Andei Serenko, a regional analyst said that the sympathizers of IS firstly initiated an attempt of escape and even raised for a while a flag of the group inside the prison. But Reuters have not independently verified it yet, and no group has claimed responsibility for the riot.
The Tajik Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into the riot as officials work to determine the full extent of the incident.

This is not the first deadly prison riot that has happened in Tajikistan. In May 2019, a riot in the same penal colony resulted in 29 inmate deaths and three prison guard casualties; officials blamed extremist groups for the violence. The Islamic State later claimed responsibility. In 2018, another prison riot in Khujand resulted in the death of **21 prisoners and two guards.

Growing Security Concerns in Tajikistan  
Tajikistan, a Central Asian country bordering Afghanistan, has repeatedly been threatened by extremist groups, fueling prison security and radicalization concerns. The latest riot shows that the authorities still face significant difficulties in keeping extremist elements under control within the country's penitentiary system. 

A heavy presence of security forces has been reported around Vahdat prison as investigations continue.