DUSHANBE, November 2, 2012, Asia-Plus – A statement released by Amnesty International (AI) on November 1 says that a Tajikistani national who is due to be released from detention is at risk of abduction in Russia and forcible return to Tajikistan.

“Another Tajikistani national is believed to have been abducted and forcibly returned to Tajikistan following his recent release from detention.  Both men are at risk of torture, unfair trial, and other human rights violations in Tajikistan.

“Asylum seeker Ismon Azimov is currently in detention and due to be released on November 2.  There are fears he may be at imminent risk of abduction by Tajikistani security services after his release and returned to Tajikistan where he would be at risk of torture and other ill-treatment.

“Another asylum seeker, Abdulvosit Latipov, is believed to have been abducted upon his release from a detention facility in Volgograd, Russia in October 2012.  It is believed he has been forcibly returned to Tajikistan.

“In both cases, the European Court on Human rights (ECtHR) has issued interim measures under Rule 39 which require the Russian Federation to refrain from deporting these men until their cases have been fully considered by the ECtHR.

“These concerns come amid an emerging pattern of disappearance of Tajikistani asylum-seekers in Russia, many of whom are reportedly abducted by Tajikistani security services, and who have ‘re-appeared’ in Tajikistan shortly afterwards.   Many of them have reported that they were ill-treated whilst in detention upon their return.”