Imomali Turdiev
Imomali Turdiev (born 2005 or 2006) is a Tajik-born labourer who gained media attention in 2026 after being arrested and charged with the fatal stabbing of an 18‑year‑old man during a confrontation on a bus in Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
Early life
Imomali Turdiev was born in Tajikistan in either 2005 or 2006 and later moved with his family to Russia, settling in the Moscow region. He worked as a labourer at a warehouse for a logistics company prior to the incident that brought him to public attention.
2026 Elektrostal stabbing
On 18 January 2026, a confrontation occurred on a public bus in the town of Elektrostal in the Moscow region involving a group of teenagers and other passengers. According to investigation details published by Asia‑Plus, the teenagers were using foul language, making obscene gestures, and acting aggressively toward a woman and other passengers.
The situation escalated when Turdiev, then 19, confronted the group. According to the report, the teenagers responded by spraying pepper spray and firing a flare at Turdiev. In retaliation, Turdiev drew a knife and stabbed one of the group, 18‑year‑old Ilya Polezhaev, multiple times in the torso and neck. The victim later died from his injuries despite being taken to a hospital.
Arrest and legal proceedings
Following the stabbing, Turdiev was arrested by law enforcement authorities and charged with [...] under Article 105 of the Russian Criminal Code. He was detained and placed in custody while the investigation continued and expert examinations were scheduled. Turdiev now faces up to 15 years in prison.
Public reaction
Media coverage of the incident was varied, with some reports portraying the confrontation as an unprovoked attack while others described it as a response to aggressive behaviour by the group of teenagers. Discussions in regional news outlets and social media reflected differing interpretations of the event and its broader social implications. Some sources say this stabbing spurred right-wing, ultra-nationalist violence against non-Slavic people in Russia.