Virginia Man Flees to Tajikistan During Approved Mental Health Facility Pass

A Virginia man, Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda, left the country for Tajikistan while on a sanctioned 48-hour release from a mental health institution. According to court documents, this occurred after he was found not guilty by reason of insanity in a 2019 murder case.

Toshpulodzoda had been residing at the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI) after being committed in 2022. He was required to return to the facility on July 8, 2026, but boarded a flight to Tajikistan instead.

Court records show that on July 6, Toshpulodzoda traveled from NVMHI to Washington Dulles International Airport. He took a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul and then connected to Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

The Acquittee failed to return to NVMHI on July 8, 2026, as required.

NVMHI, located in Falls Church, Virginia, had provided inpatient care for Toshpulodzoda, who was previously found insane during the killing of his landlord, Mohammad Hemmatian.

Despite a judge ruling Toshpulodzoda remained mentally unwell and required supervised care, Virginia law permits facilities to allow unsupervised community visits up to 48 hours.

Records revealed that NVMHI granted his pass on July 6. Instead of returning, Toshpulodzoda traveled to Dulles Airport. Court documents included airline records confirming his itinerary.

In 2024, Toshpulodzoda had previously been granted permission to visit Washington, D.C., to secure a passport supported by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

Upon failing to return, NVMHI labeled Toshpulodzoda as escaped, revoked his pass, and issued a warrant. Virginia State Police and federal agencies were informed. U.S. Customs and Border Protection also issued an alert.

A bench warrant for Toshpulodzoda’s arrest followed.

The Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney’s office stated that Toshpulodzoda was found insane at the time of the homicide, blocking the possibility of a conviction at trial.

Since the 2022 judgment, prosecutors have consistently opposed any release, stressing his need for continued confinement. A judge recently affirmed this conclusion. If Toshpulodzoda returns to the U.S., he faces arrest.

The Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute, Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney’s office, and Turkish Airlines were unavailable for comment.

For further information, Sophia Compton, a writer at Fox News Digital, can be contacted. Compton, who holds a journalism degree, previously covered business, finance, and tourism.