Tajikistan's Ruler Rahmon Is Missing

• 12.02.2026, 14:58

He hasn't been seen in two weeks.

Tajikistan's 73-year-old ruler Emomali Rahmon, whose speeches and videos were broadcast almost daily at the opening of roads and factories, schools and kindergartens, planting trees and visiting parks, holding government meetings or signing laws and decrees, has not appeared in public for almost two weeks. This is according to Ozodi.

The last photo published on the president's website is dated January 28, 2026, and was taken at a working meeting with law enforcement leaders.

The presidential administration has not commented on Emomali Rakhmon's whereabouts or condition. Some opposition figures have suggested that he may be ill and under the care of doctors.

The publication on February 6 of a February 6 photo of Rustam Emomali, the eldest son of the president and speaker of Tajikistan's National Assembly, in which he is pictured with the leaders of three regions, has added fuel to these discussions. Also on February 9, his official Facebook page posted his recommendation ("Children will immortalize the names of their parents if we raised them well"), increasing suspicions about the Tajik president.

February 9, the Pamir Insider news agency quoted three sources as saying that "Emomali Rahmon left the country in late January for medical treatment." The media sources claimed that Tajik law enforcement agencies were in a "barracks-like" state, a situation that is likely to continue until February 12.

There is no official confirmation of this news.

In the meantime, a reliable source close to the Tajik government told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on condition of anonymity on February 10 that "Emomali Rahmon is on vacation." He added that the Tajik president "went to Hainan Island in China for medical treatment."

A second source told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that the president flew to China on February 8.