Please support the release of Alexander Sodiqov, a researcher of the University of Exeter, held incommunicado and charged with Treason in Tajikistan for conducting research on a project funded by the ESRC, ‘Rising Powers and Conflict Management in Tajikistan’.
If you send the letter to your MP before 2 July you may ask your MP to ask William Hague to raise the matter with Mr Aslov, the Foreign Minister of Tajikistan, on his visit to the UK.
HERE IS A COPY OF A LETTER THAT WAS SENT TO EXETER MP THE RT HON BEN BRADSHAW.
Dear Ben,
We, the undersigned staff of the Department of Politics of the University of Exeter, are writing to you regarding the case of Alexander Sodiqov, a researcher employed by the University of Exeter to conduct research on a project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) on conflict management in Central Asia.
Alexander was detained on 16 June whilst conducting an interview in the city of Khorog, Tajikistan, and has been held incommunicado and accused of treason since that time by the State Committee on National Security. The charges against him remain uncertain and no evidence has been offered to support them. However, the offence of treason under article 305 carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
For background information, UK press attention and statements by the University of Exeter and the ESRC see:
- http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/19/fears-grow-for-canadian-researcher-arrested-in-tajikistan;
- http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2014/06/studying-tajikistan-turns-dangerous;
- http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR60/003/2014/en
- http://www.esrc.ac.uk/news-and-events/announcements/31047/statement-regarding-alexander-sodiqov.aspx
- http://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/university/title_390810_en.html
Our colleague, Dr John Heathershaw, who was in the country at the time of Alexander’s arrest, and received the support of the UK Embassy to flee the country, is briefing the Exeter press today.
This is a vital matter of academic freedom and basic human rights that puts UK researchers and university staff at risk in Tajikistan.
It is also a terrible violation of the human rights of a young husband, father and citizen of Tajikistan.
The UK’s relationship with Tajikistan is under question as it stands accused of meddling and ‘espionage’ whilst it has given tens of millions of pounds in aid to Tajikistan and is trying to conclude a ‘gifting package’ of military and dual-use items to the country.
Please write to Foreign Secretary William Hague asking him to raise this matter with the Tajik authorities and, especially with Foreign Minister Aslov, who is visiting the UK and will be at Parliament on Wednesday 2 July. Please also try and attend that meeting, organised by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Tajikistan (Baroness Vivienne Stern, Nigel Mills MP) and raise your concerns.
Please request that Mr Hague ask for the charges against Alexander to be made known and that his wife his given access to him. Please also ask for Alexander to be treated fairly and that evidence is presented to justify the accusations of treason.
We ask you to give this grave matter your urgent attention.
Yours sincerely,
Dr John Heathershaw, Associate Professor of International Relations
Prof Andrew Massey, Head of Department
Dr Travis Coan
Ms Jenny Wlasak
Dr Rob Lamb
Dr Klejda Mulaj
Professor Nicole Bolleyer
Professor Dario Castiglione
Dr Sarah Bulmer
Dr Stephen Greasley
Dr Victoria Basham
Dr Jess Gifkins
Dr Sandra Kroeger
Professor Michael Winter OBE
Dr Bice Maiguashca
Dr Andrew Schaap
Ms Emily Barrett
Dr Alex Pritchard
Ms Jemma Buddle
Dr Claire Dunlop
Dr Matthew Lobley
Dr David Lewis
Dr Jason Reifler
Professor Michael Dumper
KEY CONTACT:
Dr John Heathershaw
Associate Professor of International Relations
Department of Politics
University of Exeter
Mob: +44 7983 429 040
Off: +44 1392 264 185