A Virginia man acquitted due to insanity in a 2019 homicide has escaped the United States. He did this while on an approved temporary leave from a mental health facility. Court records show Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda left the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI) on July 6 with a 48-hour pass. However, he did not return on July 8 as required.
Instead of returning, Toshpulodzoda traveled to Washington Dulles International Airport. He boarded a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul, then went on to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. This is detailed in the court documents.
The Acquittee failed to return to NVMHI on July 8, 2026, as required.
Toshpulodzoda had been receiving treatment at the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute in Falls Church, Virginia. He was committed to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in 2022. This happened after he was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of his landlord, Mohammad Hemmatian.
A judge recently affirmed Toshpulodzoda’s ongoing mental illness. The judge also determined his need for continued inpatient treatment.
Despite this finding, Virginia law permits facilities to allow unchaperoned community visits for some patients, lasting up to 48 hours. NVMHI granted Toshpulodzoda’s leave on July 6. Instead of returning to the facility, he traveled to Dulles.
Airline records connected to the court filing show the Turkish Airlines itinerary. The route was from Dulles to Istanbul and then to Dushanbe.
Previously, Toshpulodzoda received permission to travel to Washington, D.C., in 2024 to obtain a passport, with the support of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
After Toshpulodzoda failed to return, he was placed on escape status, and his pass was revoked. A facility warrant was issued. Virginia State Police and federal authorities were notified, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued an alert in case of his attempt to return to the U.S.
A bench warrant was later issued for his arrest.
The Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney’s office noted that Toshpulodzoda was deemed insane at the time of the murder. This finding prevented the possibility of securing a conviction in trial. Following the 2022 ruling, prosecutors have opposed his release at annual reviews, including the one in June where continued confinement was ordered.
A bench warrant was issued right after he was found to have escaped. Thus, if Toshpulodzoda returns to U.S. soil, he will be taken into custody and returned to Virginia.
The Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney’s office, Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute, and Turkish Airlines could not be reached for comments.
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