DUSHANBE, June 17, 2014, Asia-Plus -- Tajik authorities have released a Tajik citizen from Canada who was detained in the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), Khorog, on June 16, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reported on June 17.

The presidential adviser on Tajikistan''s national security, Sherali Khairullo, told residents of Khorog on June 17 that Alexander Sodiqov was released after investigators concluded that his discussions with local activists were linked to his academic research.

Earlier on June 17, Tajikistan''s State Committee for National Security said Sodiqov had been detained in Khorog on suspicion of spying for an unnamed country after he met with local civil society activist Alim Sherzamonov.

Sodiqov, 31, said he has been touring several Tajik and Uzbek cities as part of doctoral research at the University of Toronto.