Tajikistan asks Turkey to extradite opposition figure
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 16 January 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Tajikistan asks Turkey to extradite opposition figure, 16 January 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54e1a3b414.html [accessed 3 June 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. |
January 16, 2015
By RFE/RL's Tajik Service
DUSHANBE – Tajikistan has formally asked Turkey to extradite fugitive opposition politician and businessman Umarali Quvatov.
Tajik Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda made the announcement on January 16.
Quvatov is wanted by Dushanbe on fraud charges that he says are politically motivated. His Group 24 political organization was banned in October, when the government labelled it as an extremist group.
Tajik authorities had earlier blocked hundreds of websites after Group 24 used social media to call for a mass antigovernment protest in Dushanbe.
Quvatov and three associates were detained in Turkey in December for violating visa regulations.
Rahimzoda said that eight Group 24 members have been detained in Russia and will soon be extradited to Tajikistan, and that three others were recently arrested in Tajikistan.
Quvatov, who once had close ties to President Emomali Rahmon's family, left Tajikistan in 2012.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
