Mental Health Facility Granted Unsupervised Passes to Murder Suspect Who Later Fled U.S.

A man charged with murder departed the United States last month by boarding a one-way flight to Tajikistan while on authorized leave from a Virginia psychiatric hospital. Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda flew from Washington Dulles International Airport on July 6, routing through Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines ticket purchased under his name with an American Express card, according to court documents.

The Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute had granted Toshpulodzoda approval for unaccompanied community visits lasting up to 48 hours, enabling him to stay at an Alexandria apartment provided through the Fairfax Permanent Supportive Housing Program. His authorization for unsupervised outings remained in effect at the time of his departure, despite his criminal charges.

In 2019, Toshpulodzoda fatally stabbed Mohammad Hemmatian in Vienna, Virginia. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the second-degree murder case and committed to state psychiatric care in 2022, a determination that required evaluation by both defense and prosecution experts.

A judge ruled as recently as June that Toshpulodzoda “shall not be released from custody and inpatient hospitalization without further order of this court.” Virginia law nevertheless permits psychiatric patients, including those with violent crime accusations, to receive temporary passes for day or weekend visits.

The facility’s Internal Forensic Privileging Committee had authorized his community access. In May 2024, he was granted permission to visit the Tajikistan Embassy in Washington with an escort to obtain travel documents.

The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office requested an arrest warrant on August 5, one month after his disappearance. Prosecutors stated they had opposed his release during June review hearings and confirmed a bench warrant was issued immediately upon learning of his escape, ensuring arrest and extradition if he reenters the country.