DUSHANBE, February 14, 2013, Asia-Plus – Abdullojonov’s defense lawyer has expressed hope that the Ukrainian authorities will not extradite his client to Tajikistan.
Andrey Fedur, the defense lawyer of former Tajik Prime Minister Abdumalik Abdullojonov, considers that the Ukrainian law enforcement authorities should have not arrested Abdullojonov though he has been internationally wanted. “Abdullojonov has a status of refugee in the United States,” Fedur told the Ukraine National News in an interview.
According to him, Abdumalik Abdullojonov received Ukrainian visa and arrived in Kiev legally. “Abdullojonov should not be deported to Tajikistan because he has a status of political refugee,” the lawyer said.
Fedur has expressed hope that the Ukrainian authorities will not extradite his client to Tajikistan.
An international scandal may threaten Ukraine’s image in connection with detention of former Tajik prime minister, the lawyer noted
Meanwhile, Fedur has told the BBC that the Borispol court’s decision on detention of Abdullojonov for up to 40 days is quite a hasty and doubtful.
We will recall that Abdumalik Abdullojonov was arrested at Borispol Airport near Kiev on February 5 on an international warrant after arriving from the United States.
The Borispol court ruled on February 7 that former Tajik Prime Minister Abdumalik Abdullojonov can be held in detention for up to 40 days while authorities await documents from Dushanbe regarding his possible extradition.
His lawyer said that if extradited, Abdullojonov”s life would be in danger.
Abdumalik Abdullojonov, who challenged Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in the 1994 presidential election, is accused by the Tajik authorities of involvement in a 1996 assassination attempt on President Rahmon. He is also accused of backing a 1998 militant attack in Sughd Province, and of organized crime and terrorism-related offenses.
For the past decade, Abdullojonov has lived in the United States.
