Moldovan court extends detention for Tajik activist
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 21 August 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Moldovan court extends detention for Tajik activist, 21 August 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55ee96f9e.html [accessed 22 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. |
August 21, 2015
By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service
A Moldovan appeals court extended the pretrial detention of Tajik opposition activist Sobir Valiev, who is fighting extradition to Tajikistan, by 11 days on August 20.
Valiev's lawyer, Elena Mazur, told RFE/RL she would complain at the European Court for Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, because she believes Valiev is being illegally detained.
Human Rights Watch has urged Moldova not to extradite Valiev because he could be face abuse and/or torture.
Moldova says it has not yet received an extradition request from the Tajiks.
Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch, told RFE/RL on August 18 that "there's a risk that Mr. Valiev would face torture or ill-treatment if he was returned to Tajikistan" and that Moldova has a "responsibility...to adhere to its international human rights commitments and not return him to Tajikistan."
He added that Tajik authorities are "actively hunting down political opposition figures."
Valiev, 27, is deputy head of the Congress of Constructive Forces of Tajikistan, a peaceful opposition group.
He was detained by Moldovan officials on August 11 at the airport in Chisinau.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
