Russia Fully Supports Tajik Efforts to Suppress Destabilizing Attempts

Russia fully supports the leadership of Tajikistan in providing stability and security, the Kremlin press service said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Moscow fully backs the efforts of the Tajik authorities in suppressing attempts to destabilize the situation in the Central Asian country, the Kremlin’s press service said Wednesday.

Putin made the statement while congratulating Tajikistan with its independence day, celebrated on Wednesday.

“[Russian President Vladimir] Putin has expressed his confidence in the future strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas in the interests of the peoples of both countries and emphasized that Russia fully supports the consistent efforts by the leadership of Tajikistan in providing regional stability and security, as well as suppressing attempts to destabilize the situation in the republic,” the press service said in a statement.

The Russian president also noted the dynamic nature of bilateral relations between Russia and Tajikistan within the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

On Saturday, Putin described the September 4 clashes between Tajik government forces and an armed gang, which left over 30 police officers and nine gang members dead, as a "destabilization attempt."

The Tajik Interior Ministry accused former Deputy Defense Minister Abduhalim Nazarzoda of being behind the attacks.