DUSHANBE, January 3, 2013, Asia-Plus — A Tajik opposition leader detained in Dubai has denounced the fraud case against him and accused Tajik President Emomali Rahmon of running a “totalitarian regime,” Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reports.
In an open letter smuggled out of the detention center where he is being held, Umarali Quvvatov said the accusations leveled against him were “a direct consequence” of his battle against the “oppression of the Tajik people” by Rahmon”s government.
Quvvatov was arrested in Dubai on December 23 at the request of Tajik authorities.
He is being accused of illegally obtaining about $1.2 million through fraudulent business activities.
Quvvatov is reportedly a former business adviser to Rahmon”s daughter, Tahmina.
In his letter, Quvvatov says he has yet to be formally charged.
Earlier this year, he set up the Group 24 opposition movement.
