DUSHANBE, February 7, 2013, Asia-Plus – A Ukrainian court is expected to consider an application for Abdullojonov’ temporary detention today.

Russian news agency, Interfax, quoted the press center of the prosecutor’s office in Kiev region as saying that that the Borisopol city court is expected to consider the application for temporary detention of Tajik former Prime Minister Abdumalik Abdullojonov on February 7. 

Tajik oppositionist was detained at the Borisopol airport overnight between February 5 and 6, Interfax reported.

The news agency says that after his arrival in Ukraine, Abdumalik Abdullojonov has not applied to the Ukrainian authorities for asylum or international protection.

Mr. Viktor Sheybut, the first deputy head of Ukraine’s migration service, and Mr. Oldrich Andrysek, UNHCR Regional Representative for Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine, confirmed this yesterday during a meeting with journalists in Kiev.

Mr. Andrysek, in particular noted, “Ukraine’s legislation is very precise.  A person may apply for asylum and the authorities must consider this application and submit it to relevant bodies.  Border guards are just the first instance.  If person seeks asylum, his application must be submitted to the migration service agency.  Sometimes, they apply directly to us.  Until now nobody has applied to us.”