DUSHANBE, October 16, Asia-Plus – The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg ordered Russia on Friday to pay 40,000 euros ($56,000) in compensation to a former Tajik trade minister for his unlawful detention, RIA Novosti reported on October 12.

The court ruled that several provisions of the European Human Rights Convention were violated in regard to Habibulo Nasrulloyev, who served as Tajikistan’s Tojikmatlubot (consumer union) head from 1992 to 1997.

Nasrulloyev, who was charged with treason and murder in Tajikistan, fled to Russia where he was arrested in July 2003 after Russian prosecutors received a request from Tajikistan for his extradition. He was held in a pre-trial detention center for three years.

In September 2006, Nasrulloyev was released from custody and launched an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights.