Safarali Kenjayev

Safarali Kenjayev (18 February 1942 – 30 March 1999) was a Tajik politician who served as the Speaker of the Supreme Soviet in Tajikistan 1991–1992, Chairman of the Tajik Parliament's committee on human rights and legislation, and as head of the Socialist Party of Tajikistan, which he founded.

Early life Kenjayev was born in 1942 in the Panjakent District. An orphan, he was raised by the father of Haji Akbar Turajanzade.

Career

Law In 1965, Kenjayev graduated from Tajik State University with a degree in law. He started his career as a detective at the Public Prosecutor's Office. During his stint, Kenjayev was promoted to multiple positions, ranging from chief detective to deputy prosecutor of the Central Asian Railway.

Politics After the 1991 presidential election, Rahmon Nabiyev elected Kenjayev as the chair of the Supreme Soviet and removed Qadriddin Aslonov from the position.

In 1992, the CIS placed restrictions on demonstrations and freedom of the press.

The arrest of Ikromov and the dismissal of Navjayanov initiated the creation of the National Salvation Front alliance. The NSF sought for the ending of the Supreme Soviet and Kenjayev's resignation. On April 22, 1992, Kenjayev resigned from the Supreme Soviet, and was appointed in charge of the Committee of National Security (CNS). Kenjayev was then reinstated into the Supreme Soviet on May 3, 1992.

Attempted coup On 24 October 1992, Kenjayev led his army into Dushanbe, attacking the capital's presidential palace and parliament building. More than 150 people died. After the coup, Kenjavey addressed the Tajik people, and said he would replace the leadership with a religious free government. Kenjavey also promised he would stop the civil war and restore the Nabiyev government.

Death On March 30, 1999, three assassins shot Kenjayev, his bodyguard, and his driver to their deaths in front of an apartment building in Dushanbe.