Insanity Acquittee Flees to Tajikistan

Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda, a Virginia man found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 2019 killing of his landlord Mohammad Hemmatian, fled the United States on July 6, 2026, while on an approved 48-hour pass from the United States — Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI). Instead of returning on July 8, he traveled to Washington Dulles International Airport and boarded a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul, then continued to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Court records show that on June 29, 2026, a judge had found that Toshpulodzoda remained mentally ill and in need of inpatient hospitalization. Despite this, Virginia law permits certain committed patients to receive unaccompanied community visits of up to 48 hours. NVMHI authorized the pass, but when Toshpulodzoda failed to return, the facility placed him on escape status, revoked his pass, and issued a facility warrant. United States — Virginia State Police and federal authorities were notified, and United States — United States Customs and Border Protection issued an alert. A bench warrant was later issued for his arrest. The United States — Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney's office, which had opposed his release at annual review hearings, stated that if he returns to the U.S., he will be arrested and brought to Virginia.