Tajikistan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Shokhin Samadi told Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti Saturday that Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev’s claims of Ukraine recruiting mercenaries for its military in Dushanbe, Tajikistan are false.
The denial comes as a response to Wednesday’s allegations from Patrushev that the Ukrainian embassy in Dushanbe has been recruiting Tajikistani citizens to join the International Legion. The International Legion is a legion of the Ukrainian army made up of foreign fighters, with a pathway to Ukrainian citizenship for those who choose to stay in the country. RIA Novosti reported these comments were made during a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) event. The SCO is an Eurasian political and military defense block established in 2001 by China and Russia, of which both Russia and Tajikistan are members.
Samadi responded to the allegations, claiming they have no basis and that Tajikistani authorities are taking measures to prevent any diplomatic presence in the country from violating the requirements of their diplomatic status, including via military recruitment. Under Article 401 of the Tajikistan Criminal Code, it is illegal to hire mercenaries to participate in foreign conflicts and for mercenaries to participate in foreign armed conflicts. Both actions are punishable by up to 12 years imprisonment.
The allegations come as diplomatic relations between Tajikistan and Russia are under strain due to the recent attack on Crocus Music Hall outside Moscow, which led to the deaths of 137. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack. One of the alleged terrorists responsible for the attack, arrested in Russia, was Tajikistani, and nine others were detained for alleged participation in the attack in Tajikistan. Retired Russian Colonel Bakhtier Rakhmonov alleged to RIA Novosti that several of those involved in the attack were recruited through the Ukrainian Embassy in Dushanbe. Ukraine has denied any involvement in the Crocus attack.
Tajikistan and Russia have historically had strong ties, with the countries signing the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in 1993 and Russia maintaining a military base in Tajikistan. The country also depends heavily on consistent monetary assistance from Moscow, though support has declined since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Crocus attacks, coupled with the declining support due to the Russian invasion and Tajikistan’s continued membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, has caused diplomatic tensions between the countries to develop over the last two years.
