DUSHANBE, July 23, 2014, Asia-Plus – Asia-Plus got in touch with Alexander Sodiqov by phone on July 23.

Asked how he was treated in custody, Alexander said that he was treated well.  “Conditions in the pretrial detention facility were very good: there is good food there, wardens treated me well,” Alexander said.

Asked about his case, he said that investigation into his case continues.  “Investigation into my case is carried out without bias,” said Alexander.  “I hope it will be so in the future as well.”

“I would also like to ask representatives of other media sources not yet to address questions to me,” said Sodiqov.  “At present I would like to stay with my family and I would like fuss made over this case to abate.”

We will recall that Alexander Sodiqov was released from jail on July 22 after spending 36 days in pretrial detention of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) in Dushanbe.  Sodiqov was requested not to leave Dushanbe while an investigation into his case continues.

Alexander Sodiqov, Tajik researcher contracted by the University of Exeter to help with a scholarly project, was detained in Khorog on June 16 on suspicion of spying for an unnamed country after he met with local civil society activist Alim Sherzamonov.

The SCNS press center announced on June 20 that criminal proceedings have been instituted against Alexander Sodiqov and he was taken into custody on June 19 following ruling handed down by a court in Dushanbe’s Ismoili Somoni district.  He was later charged with high treason and spying.

Alexander Sodiqov denies any wrongdoing.

Amnesty International, Freedom House, and Human Rights Watch have issued statements expressing concern over Sodiqov''s detention and urging Tajik authorities to provide detailed and timely information about his situation.