Tajik opposition Group 24 movement has elected its new leadership after its founding leader Umarali Quvatov was shot dead in Istanbul, Turkey last week.
Quvatov's cousin and business associate, 29-year-old Sharofiddin Gadoev, who has been living in self-imposed exile in Spain since 2013, told RFE/RL that the leading council of the Group 24 held its gathering on March 12 and elected him the movement's new leader.
A Tajik businessman, Sobir Valiev, 26, was elected Gadoev's deputy.
Gadoev declined to say where exactly the gathering was held. The majority of the movement's members are living outside Tajikistan.
Gadoev also said that the Group 24 will continue its political activities opposing Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.
Tajik authorities banned Group 24 branding it extremist after the group called on Tajik citizens for anti-government protests in Dushanbe in October.
Two alleged members of the group are currently on trial. Last week, one activist was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in jail for being a member of Group 24.
