OSCE Media Representative concerned about detention of Tajik journalist in Russia

VIENNA, 9 July 2001 (OSCE) - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Freimut Duve, expressed his concern about the detention of the Tajik journalist Dododjon Atovulloyev at a Moscow airport a day earlier. Speaking at the 10th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Paris on 6 July, Mr. Duve urged the Russian authorities not to extradite Mr. Atovulloyev to Tajikistan.

Mr. Atovulloyev is wanted in Tajikistan for "publicly defaming the President". A request for extradition has been forwarded to the Russian authorities. Currently Mr. Atovulloyev is held at a detention centre of the State Prosecutor in Russia. Several human rights groups both in Russia and abroad have raised the case of Mr. Atovulloyev with the Russian and Tajik authorities fearing that if he is extradited to Tajikistan, his life may be in danger.

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For further information please contact the office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, tel. + 43 1 512 21 45-0, Fax + 43 1 512 21 45-9.