Tajikistan Seeks Justice After Xenophobic Attack in Moscow

The Embassy of Tajikistan in Moscow has taken control of the investigation into the killing of a 10-year-old Tajik boy during a school attack in the Odintsovo district of Russia’s Moscow region.

The victim, Qobiljon Aliyev, had both Tajik and Russian citizenship, The Caspian Post reports via Tajik media.

An official letter has been sent to Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Tajik Embassy remains in close contact with the boy’s family. Tajikistan expressed condolences to the relatives and said it expects a fair and impartial investigation, with all those responsible held accountable.

The incident occurred on the morning of December 16 at a school in the Gorki-2 settlement. A 15-year-old student attacked a security guard and several pupils. The 10-year-old boy later died from his injuries. The suspect was detained at the scene and has since confessed. Russian investigators have opened a criminal case on charges of murder and attempted murder.

Russian media reports suggest the attack was driven by nationalist and xenophobic motives. The tragedy has reignited discussions about xenophobia and racism in Russia, particularly incidents targeting ethnic minorities and migrant communities.