Incident Summary:

5/20/2000: Saifullo Rakhimov, the chairman of state-run radio and television, was shot and killed near his home in Tajikistan. Six gunmen dressed in camouflage blocked his car and then opened fire. Rakhimov's driver was critically wounded in the attack. No group has claimed responsibility and authorities believe the attack was a "contracted terrorist act".

GTD ID:
200005200005

When:
2000-05-20

Country:
Tajikistan

Region:
Central Asia

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Unknown

City:
Unknown

Location Details:
Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Assassination
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Journalists & Media
Name of Entity State media
Specific Description Saifullo Rakhimov, the chairman of state-run radio and television
Nationality of Target Tajikistan
Target Type: Private Citizens & Property
Name of Entity Civilian
Specific Description The driver of Saifullo Rakhimov, the chairman of state-run radio and television
Nationality of Target Tajikistan
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage No
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Firearms Automatic Weapon
Weapon Details
A submachine gun
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information One source states that a submachine gun was used while a second source states that the victim was shot with a hand pistol.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Gunmen No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators 6
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 1 Fatalities / 1 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 1
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 1
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Chief of Tajikistan state television and radio slain," Associated Press, May 21, 2000.
"Tajikistan killing," Broadcast News, May 21, 2000.
Galina Gridneva, "Murder of Tajik journalist thought ordered," ITAR-TASS News Agency, May 22, 2000.