Russia’s Children’s Ombudsperson Maria Lvova-Belova has responded to an official appeal from Tajikistan’s Ombudsman, Umed Bobozoda, over the killing of 10-year-old Tajik schoolboy Qobiljon Aliyev in a xenophobic attack at a school in Odintsovo, near Moscow.
Bobozoda sent formal letters to Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova and to Lvova-Belova, calling for a “thorough, transparent, and fair investigation” into the deadly incident. Tajikistan’s Ombudsman’s office later confirmed that a response had been received, The Caspian Post reports via Tajik media.
In her reply, Lvova-Belova described the death of the fourth-grade pupil as an “irreparable loss” and expressed her deepest condolences to the boy’s family. She stressed that such tragedies require heightened attention to child safety and protection, noting that the case remains under her personal supervision.
“The incident is under the control of the Children’s Ombudsman of Russia. We continue cooperating with the relevant authorities in the Moscow region to ensure a comprehensive investigation and to provide possible assistance to the child’s family,” Lvova-Belova wrote, adding that measures would be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In his appeal, Bobozoda urged that those responsible be held fully accountable under the law and called for stronger oversight in schools, along with effective measures to safeguard children’s physical and psychological well-being. He emphasized that violence against children can never be justified by administrative failures or negligence.
Qobiljon Aliyev was fatally stabbed at his school on December 16 by a 15-year-old attacker reportedly motivated by neo-Nazi ideology. Russian investigators say the suspect questioned pupils and a teacher about their nationality before attacking a security guard and then chasing the boy, who later died from his injuries. The attacker was detained by law enforcement after barricading himself in a classroom.
Following the attack, Russia’s Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under multiple articles of the Criminal Code, including murder and attempted murder. The investigation remains ongoing.
The killing has sparked strong reactions in Tajikistan. The government has demanded an immediate, objective, and impartial investigation, describing the crime as motivated by national hatred. Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s ambassador in Dushanbe and handed over an official note calling for justice, while Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda also urged a thorough inquiry.
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon raised the issue during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 22. Putin described the incident as a “terrorist attack” and pledged that those responsible would be punished.
