DUSHANBE, July 24, 2014, Asia-Plus – A statement released by Amnesty International on July 23 notes that prisoner of conscience Alexander Sodiqov, who was released on bail on 22 July in Tajikistan, still faces a prison sentence.
He has reportedly been targeted for his work as an academic researcher and for the legitimate exercise of his right to freedom of expression.
“PhD student Alexander Sodiqov was released on bail on July 22 from a pre-trial detention centre, and said he had not been ill-treated. The charges against him have not been dropped and the investigation is still ongoing.
“According to media reports, he was held in connection with investigations into a charge of “high treason” under Article 305 of the Criminal Code (punishable by 12 to 20 years’ imprisonment).
“Amnesty International believes Alexander Sodiqov was a prisoner of conscience who had been detained solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression, as he had been undertaking legitimate academic research leading to publication for public information.
“Alexander Sodiqov, resident in Canada, had been detained on June 16 by two security officials in Khorog, capital of eastern Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO). Police went into his mother”s home in Dushanbe the next day, searched it and removed computer and data storage equipment. That day, the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) issued a statement accusing him of spying for foreign governments.”
