1990 Dushanbe riots
The riots in Dushanbe in February 1990 were a series of anti - Armenian and anti-government unrest and violent protests in Dushanbe, the capital of the Tajik SSR. They were the first sign of the Tajik civil war from 1991. During the riots, 22 people were killed and 565 were injured
Expiration
Background of the riots was the short-term settlement of some Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan in Tajikistan. The Soviet government had ( the pogrom in Sumgait, the pogrom in Kirovabad, and the pogrom in Baku ) support after several violent anti -Armenian riots in Azerbaijan, the resettlement of 39 Armenians to relatives in Dushanbe.
In Dushanbe prevailed at that time housing shortage, which is why the reception of refugees was negatively received by the population. It made soon rumors wide, the Soviet government was planning the relocation of thousands of Armenians to Tajikistan. In fact, the Armenians had lived only briefly with relatives in Dushanbe and Tajikistan had already left again towards Armenia. In addition, large parts of the population, there was a general dissatisfaction with the Soviet Union in general, who already showed strong signs of dissolution in early 1990.
Although Kachar Machkamow, the then First Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party in Tajikistan, said that there was no permanent resettlement of Armenians, this was rejected by the majority of protesters.
The first major protests took place on 11 February, when thousands of protesters gathered in front of government buildings. It was not possible to calm the protesters. The next day, the protests, demonstrators chanted slogans such as " Down with Machkamow! " Or increased "Down with the Armenians! ". Also nationalist movements mobilized their followers, so that the atmosphere was heated up further. In the evening, shops were set on fire, state of emergency was finally proclaimed.
On February 13, presented all public institutions cease to operate and almost all shops remained closed. Violent protesters attacked and targeted Armenians and members of the Russian-speaking population groups, including Russians and Ukrainians in addition, the Soviet Koreans, Russia German, Tatars and Jews. Furthermore Tajik women in western clothes were partially suspended in open hostility.
The unrest could only be terminated by the Red Army, whose help Kachar Machkamow had asked. On February 14, resigned Machkamow and Prime Minister Esatollo Chajejew. It was temporarily imposed a curfew and 5,000 soldiers used to calm the situation. Large demonstrations also took place a few days later. A total of 22 people were killed, 565 were injured.