Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has learnt with very great concern of the detention of its reporter in Tajikistan, Urunboy Usmonov.

Mr Usmonov, who has worked for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Central Asian Service for the last 10 years, was reported missing by his family on 13 June 2011 when he failed to return home after work. At 12:00 BST on 14 June 2011, after increasingly desperate searches by family and work colleagues, Mr Usmonov appeared at his home accompanied by members of the Tajik security services. Mr Usmonov's family reported that he appeared to have been beaten up.

A search was conducted of his home by the officers and he was then taken away. He has been denied access to his family since then.

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ now understands that Mr Usmonov has been accused of having links to the Hizbi Tahrir party – an Islamic organisation which is banned in Tajikistan. Whilst Mr Usmonov has reported on the judicial trials and activities of the Hizbi Tahrir party in Tajikistan at the request of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has no reason to believe these allegations. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ deplores the alleged treatment of Mr Usmonov whilst detained, in particular the denial of access to a legal representative.

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ demands that Mr Usmonov is released with immediate effect.

PR