Tajikistan: religious fanatics slay Santa Claus

In Dushanbe, a young man, dressed as Santa Claus, was killed by a mob of young people, shouting accusations of "infidel," as a senior source in the Tajik Interior Ministry disclosed.

"The young man had decided to congratulate his relatives dressed up in a Santa Claus outfit. When he approached the door of his house, he was attacked by a mob of about 30 young people, shouting, "Tu kofiri" ("Infidel"), who inflicted on Parviz numerous stab wounds from which he died in the hospital," - said the source.

The authorities have admitted the fact that 24-year old Parviz Davlatbekov had been murdered, but deny that it was entirely motivated by religious hatred. "We acknowledge the fact of a murder having been committed, but we regard it as a domestic crime," - Tajik Interior Ministry Chief of Staff, Gen. Tohir Normatov told journalists.

On New Year's Eve, December 30, the head of the Ulema Council of Tajikistan Saidmukarram Abdukodirzoda told reporters that decoration of Christmas trees, dancing and games around it are alien to the Tajik culture and contrary to the laws of Islam.

(IF)