DUSHANBE, July 15, 2013, Asia-Plus – Dodojon Atovulloyev, Tajik opposition journalist also head of the Vatandor (Patriot) movement, was detained at the Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow today after arriving from Prague.

Tajik journalist Doriyush Rajabiyon, who now lives in one of European countries, told Asia-Plus this referring to his sources in Moscow.

According to him Dodojon Atovulloyev is currently being held in one of Moscow’s detention centers.

Dodojon Atovulloyev, 56, left Tajikistan in December 1992.  He has since lived mainly in Moscow, but spent one year in Germany as well.  He has remained active as a journalist critical of the Tajik authorities throughout.  Atovulloyev last visited Tajikistan in 2004, but left abruptly after three days under threat of arrest.  He is the owner of Charogi Ruz (Day Light), one of Tajikistan’s first independent newspapers, which is critical of President Rahmon.  Dushanbe has requested Atovulloyev''s extradition numerous times, but Russia has refused.