After the Tajik president's sister died of covid, her sons beat up the country's top health official

[Eugene]

Source: Washington Post

After the Tajik president’s sister died of covid, her sons beat up the country’s top health officials

By Robyn Dixon
Today at 6:24 a.m. EDT

MOSCOW — After the Tajik president's sister died in a hospital reportedly of covid-19, her three sons attacked and beat up the country's health minister and a senior doctor, according to local media.

The reports, widespread in Tajik media, cast a rare spotlight on the sudden surge of covid-19 cases in this Central Asian country, which for a time had denied it had any infections. In a change, this latest surge seems to be hitting right at the top levels of the nation's leadership.

The incident came just weeks after the death of President Emomali Rahmon’s mother-in-law, also reportedly of covid-19. The government has faced criticism over its denials and inaction after the coronavirus spread in the country last year, and over its failure to stem a disastrous new wave of infections.

The latest spike, initially denied by authorities, has hit wealthy and influential families in Tajikistan. Radio Ozodi, the Tajik arm of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and online Tajik media reported that 10 members of the president’s family had contracted the coronavirus.

The spread of cases among the country’s elite raises questions about how the coronavirus is impacting ordinary citizens, amid criticisms that authorities have long understated the number of cases and deaths.

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Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/tajik-covid-president-nephews-assault-doctors/2021/07/27/660efdaa-eebb-11eb-ab6f-b41a066381df_story.html

[abqtommy]

1. That's what I call "direct action" and has been known to be quite effective.