DUSHANBE, September 2, 2014, Asia-Plus — Alexander Sodiqov, a PhD student in political science at the University of Toronto, who is currently under investigation for high treason and spying, reportedly cannot pursue his studies in Canada.
Edward Schatz, an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto and the supervisor of Alexander Sodiqov’s doctoral work, writes on his Facebook page that Alexander cannot pursue his studies in Canada, because he was requested not to leave Dushanbe while an investigation into his case continues. Edward Schatz notes that Alexander Sodiqov is still charged with espionage though he was released from jail.
Alexander’s wife, Musharraf Sodiqova, says there has been no any information about her husband’s case since he was released from jail.
Meanwhile, Sodiqov’s defense lawyer, Abduqayum Yusupov, has noted that investigation into the case is going on and the charges will not be dropped until the investigation continues.
We will recall that Alexander Sodiqov, Tajik researcher contracted by the University of Exeter to help with a scholarly project, was detained in Khorog on June 16 on suspicion of spying for an unnamed country after he met with local civil society activist Alim Sherzamonov.
The SCNS press center announced on June 20 that criminal proceedings have been instituted against Alexander Sodiqov and he was taken into custody on June 19 following ruling handed down by a court in Dushanbe’s Ismoili Somoni district. Sodiqov was charged with high treason and spying.
Alexander Sodiqov denies any wrongdoing, saying he had been touring Central Asia as part of his doctoral research at Britain’s University of Exeter and the University of Toronto in Canada.
Sodiqov was released from jail on July 22 after spending 36 days in pretrial detention in Dushanbe. He was requested not to leave Dushanbe while the investigation into his case continues.
