DUSHANBE, September 5, 2014, Asia-Plus – A statement released by Amnesty International on September 4 notes that criminal investigation against Tajik PhD student Alexander Sodiqov has been extended.  Charges against him have not been dropped and he still faces up to 20 years in prison.  He is being targeted for his academic research and for exercising his right to freedom of expression, the statement says.

“On August 22, Amnesty International learnt that the investigation into the criminal case against Alexander Sodiqov has been extended.

“Alexander Sodiqov is a PhD student at the University of Toronto and was detained on 16 June while conducting a research interview.  The charges against him have not been dropped and he cannot leave Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, while the investigation is ongoing.  Alexander Sodiqov was released on bail on July 22 after spending 36 days in detention.

“Alexander Sodigov was held in connection with investigations into a charge of “high treason” under Article 305 of the Criminal Code (punishable by 12 to 20 years’ imprisonment).  Alexander Sodiqov was considered by Amnesty International a prisoner of conscience who was detained solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression, as he had been undertaking legitimate academic research intended for publication.

“Alexander Sodiqov was detained on June 16 by two security officials in Khorog, capital of eastern Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO).  Police went into his mother''s home in Dushanbe the next day, searched it and removed computer and data storage equipment.  That day, the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) issued a statement accusing him of spying for foreign governments.”