Tajik opposition group seizes hostages in Dushanbe

An armed opposition group took about ten people hostage - including politicians, security and city officials - in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, early on Saturday morning, the ITAR-TASS news agency reported.

It said the group, led by Rakhmon Sanginov, set up an unauthorized check-point in an eastern suburb of the city.

The hostages include a deputy city administrator, the MP Bobodzhon Murodov, city administration officials and policemen.

The hostages were taken to pressure official authorities into releasing three supporters of the group who were detained by police on 7th January for the illegal carrying of arms, the agency quoted opposition sources as saying.

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