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| 2 American cyclists among 4 dead in Tajikistan hit-and-run | ||
| 2018-07-30 | ||
| Possible WOT. Need more info. 48 hour rule [10News] Two Americans, a Dutch national and Swiss national were killed by a hit-and-run driver while cycling in Tajikistan Sunday, officials say. The four tourists died after a car struck them in Khatlon Oblast, a region south of Tajikistan's capital, Dushanbe. Tajik authorities said three other cyclists in their group were treated for minor injuries. Their nationalities have not been released. Authorities in Tajikistan investigating the incident are considering "all possibilities," including terrorism and the possibility it was an accident, Umarjonni Emmomali, head of the press department at the Ministry of Tajikistan, told CNN. Investigators searched the village of Torbulok following the incident and identified a damaged vehicle that showed "involvement in the commission of this crime," according to a statement sent to CNN Sunday from the Tajikistan Interior Ministry. One suspect was arrested, according to the statement, and "during the resistance" two other suspects were "eliminated." CNN asked the Tajikistan Interior Ministry for clarification on the word "eliminated" but received no response. The US Embassy in Dushanbe posted a message on its Facebook page Monday thanking Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and the people of Tajikstan for their expressions of sympathy to the victims' families. "We strongly condemn the cruelty of the attackers and recognize that they in no way represent the kindness and hospitality of the Tajik people," it said. In an earlier post, the Embassy confirmed the deaths of the two American cyclists in the Danghara district. "Due to privacy concerns, we are unable to share further details. Our condolences go out to the victims' families, and we will continue to work with Tajik authorities in the ongoing investigation," the Embassy statement said. "Eliminated" = 48 Hour Rule bait
They have not been named as of Monday morning. According to reports from Radio Free Europe and other media, the attack, which has not been ruled out as an act of terror, “left tourists from the United States, Switzerland and the Netherlands dead and two others injured.” RFE quoted government officials who said: “The driver and passengers of a car that hit the foreign tourists, [then] got out of the car and attacked [the cyclists] with firearms and knives.” Also Sunday, it was first reported that there was just one suspect, a 21-year-old man, in custody. It turns out officials now confirm that two suspects were shot and killed after allegedly resisting arrest. Authorities are hunting other possible perpetrators in the attack. “In Tajikistan, if you kill foreign cyclists with your car and flee the scene while leaving behind your license plate, police special forces will be at your house within a couple of hours to kill you dead.” Rahimzoda said that authorities are “considering all possibilities” in the investigation adding “We can’t say if it is an act of terror” but admitted “state institutions are being guarded…to provide safety for citizens and tourists.” Local police released the names and photos of suspects. Two were killed when trying to “resist arrest.” Based on the translated statements and media Tajik and regional reports the suspects still at large have a bounty on their heads.
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| Posted by:Frank G |
| #4 If I'm gonna do serious bike riding on a vacation, I'm going to Colorado or France. |
| Posted by: Raj 2018-07-30 15:14 |
| #3 The old Silk Road probably has a grave site every foot or so. |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2018-07-30 12:35 |
| #2 Ah yes, Tajikistan that garden spot of Central Asia. Perfect tourist location on the old Silk Road. Umm, do I need a /sarc on that? |
| Posted by: AlanC 2018-07-30 11:48 |
| #1 "Cruelty of the attackers?" Terrorism for sure. But look for it to be covered up. |
| Posted by: Herb McCoy 2018-07-30 09:27 |