DUSHANBE, June 17, 2011, Asia-Plus -- The Embassy of the United States expresses its deep concern regarding the detention of BBC journalist Urunboi Usmonov, who was jailed in Khujand on June 13 and accused of being a member of Hizb-ut-Tahrir.

The U.S. Ambassador Mr. Ken Gross said “We call on government officials to vigorously investigate the alleged mistreatment of Mr. Usmonov by security forces and adhere to transparent international judicial standards. We believe journalists should not endure physical abuse or imprisonment for what they write. Accordingly, we call for Mr. Usmonov to be released immediately if no evidence of illegal activity is found.”