DUSHANBE, May 12, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Kyrgyz human rights activist Nematullo Botakoziyev who has been held in detention in Tajikistan since February 28 is expected to be released within the next few days.

Botakoziyev’s brother Muhammadsoleh Muhammadtohir told Asia-Plus today that the Osh-based Justice and Truth Human Rights Advocacy Center will fax a decree by new Kyrgyz authorities on granting amnesty to 32 participants in the mass protests in Nookat in 2008 to the Tajik Prosecutor-General’s Office today.  “Nematullo Botakoziyev is also on the list of amnestied persons,” Muhammadtohir said.

We will recall that Tajik Prosecutor General Sherkhon Salimzoda told reporters in Dushanbe on April 16 that Kyrgyzstan has asked that Botakoziyev be extradited but Tajik authorities are asking for Kyrgyz officials to clarify their request and the charges against him.  Salimzoda said if there is evidence that the Kyrgyz case against Botakoziyev is political, Tajikistan will have to consider his request for asylum based on Tajik law.

Human Rights Watch and other international rights groups have urged Tajikistan not to send Botakoziyev to Kyrgyzstan.  He was wanted by Kyrgyz officials for organizing mass protests in 2008.