Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 2
By Diana Aliyeva– Trend:
The relevant agencies of Uzbekistan have confirmed that Sayfulla Saipov, suspected of committing a terrorist attack in New York Oct. 31, is an Uzbek citizen radicalized after he moved to the US, Jahon news agency reported.
A driver plowed a pickup truck down a crowded bike path along the Hudson River in Manhattan on Oct. 31, killing eight people and injuring 11 before being shot by a police officer in what officials are calling the deadliest terrorist attack on New York City since Sept. 11, 2001.
In 2005, Saipov graduated from a vocational college and in 2005-2009 studied in Tashkent Institute of Finances. After graduation he worked as an accountant in Tashkent’s Sayokhat hotel. Prior to his departure to the US, Saipov had no criminal conviction and in general was not on the radar of the Uzbek law enforcement bodies.
Saipov left for the US in 2010 on a diversity immigrant visa. In the last few years, he has been in a civil marriage with a native of Uzbekistan, who was also temporarily residing in the US. Since then Saipov never traveled to Uzbekistan and did not see his parents who still live in Tashkent.
While in the US, Saipov did not get registered at the Uzbekistan’s diplomatic mission, as it should be done in accordance with current legal norms.
His neighbors in Uzbekistan described Saipov as a very positive person: he never looked suspicious, always behaved with restraint and friendliness towards others. He was brought up in a well-off family. His parents preached traditional Islam and never had links with any extremist groups.
After moving to the US, Saipov became solitary and was radicalized, which was confirmed by the US media outlets.
On Nov. 1, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent a message of condolences to US President Donald Trump over the terrorist attack in New York. Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed the readiness of the Uzbek authorities to help investigate the terrorist attack.