A man acquitted of murder in 2019 by reason of insanity has fled the United States while on a 48-hour pass from a state mental health facility.
Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda, who was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the death of his landlord, Mohammad Hemmatian, left the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI) on July 6. He was authorized to take an unaccompanied community visit lasting up to 48 hours.
However, instead of returning to the facility as required, Toshpulodzoda traveled to Washington Dulles International Airport and boarded a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul before continuing to Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Court records show that Toshpulodzoda was committed to the custody of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in 2022 after being found not guilty by reason of insanity. A judge had determined just days earlier that he remained mentally ill and needed inpatient treatment.
The Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney's office stated that Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda was found to be insane at the time of the killing, which means the Commonwealth would have been unable to secure a conviction at trial. The office also noted that prosecutors had opposed his release at annual review hearings, including in June of this year.
A bench warrant has been issued for Toshpulodzoda's arrest if he attempts to return to the United States.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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