ISTANBUL
Three people suspected of involvement in the murder of a Tajik opposition leader were detained on Monday by Istanbul anti-terror police, security officials have said.
Tajik dissident Umarali Kuvatov, who belonged to the country’s Group 24 opposition movement, was killed in Istanbul late on March 5.
Kuvatov was reportedly shot after a street quarrel in the province’s central Fatih district, sources said.
Kuvatov had dinner with his wife and two children on the day of the killing and later took a walk with his family. An undefined man then approached the family and shot him in the head.
The Tajik activist died at the scene and his wife and children were taken to hospital.
Doctors treating the family, including the dead opposition leader, revealed that the four showed signs of poisoning.
The Supreme Court of Tajikistan has labeled Group 24 an "extremist" organization and banned its activities in October 2014.
The court decision came after the opposition group called for anti-government protests.
Tajikistan's chief prosecutor’s office has claimed that Group 24's objective is to seize power in an unconstitutional manner, a charge the group said was “politically motivated.”
The three suspects’ interrogations are continuing.
