HRW urges Kyrgyz court not to extradite Uzbek cleric
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 5 February 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, HRW urges Kyrgyz court not to extradite Uzbek cleric, 5 February 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/512235b923.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. |
February 05, 2013
By RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service
BISHKEK – Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Kyrgyzstan's court of appeals not to extradite former imam Khabibullo Sulaimanov to Uzbekistan.
The Uzbek cleric was arrested in Kyrgyzstan in October at Uzbekistan's request.
In December, the Kyrgyz prosecutor-general ruled that Sulaimanov must be extradited to Uzbekistan, where he faces charges related to religious extremism.
Sulaimanov has appealed the prosecutor's ruling and applied for political asylum in Kyrgyzstan.
The HRW statement says Kyrgyzstan may not return Sulaimanov to Uzbekistan regardless of the charges, saying he most likely will face torture in Uzbek detention.
Hearings into Sulaimanov's appeal opened on February 5.
Immediately after the hearing started, the judge adjourned the case until February 12.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
