Detained Tajik man charged with high treason, spying
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 20 June 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Detained Tajik man charged with high treason, spying, 20 June 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/53b283b18.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 20, 2014
By RFE/RL's Tajik Service
A Tajik man living in Canada who was detained by Tajik security authorities in the city of Khorugh has reportedly been charged with high treason and spying.
Aleksandr Sodikov was detained in Khorugh on June 16 shortly after speaking with civil society activists, including Alim Sherzamonov.
Sherzamonov was one of the leaders of deadly May protests against police actions that targeted suspected criminals in Khorugh.
Sodikov, 31, is a Tajik national residing in Canada.
He said he has been touring Central Asia as part of his doctoral research at the University of Toronto and the University of Exeter in Britain.
Sodikov was shown on local television in Khorugh on June 18, speaking about his research work and his meeting with Sherzamonov.
Amnesty International, Freedom House, and Human Rights Watch have issued statements expressing concern over Sodikov's detention and urging Tajik authorities to provide detailed and timely information about his situation.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
