Isaev, Marsel
Who, Why and How exiled: Marsel Isaev, an Uzbekistani national, had been studying in Tatarstan in the Russian Federation since 2004. He was seeking asylum there as he feared that in Uzbekistan he could face torture as a suspected member of the banned organization Hizb-ut-Tahrir ( Amnesty International, 2006).
Stage 2 details (arrest/ detention/ extradition): Law enforcement officers stopped him on the street on 6 September during a routine document check; although his documents were in order, he was detained and reportedly pressured to testify against an acquaintance on trial in Kazan accused of membership of Hizb-ut-Tahrir. He was threatened that unless he testified that this acquaintance had recruited him to Hizb-ut-Tahrir, his residence permit, due to expire on 19 September, would not be renewed and he would be deported to Uzbekistan as a suspected member of a “terrorist” organization. Marsel Isaev refused to comply with the demands and was re-detained on 23 September, and the procedure for deportation was started ( Amnesty International, 2006).
Stage 3 details (attack/ abduction/ rendition/ torture/ assassination/ death): Isaev was forcibly deported from the Russian Republic of Tatarstan to Uzbekistan on 12 October 2005 (Amnesty International, 2006).
Legal status (refugee/ asylum seeker/ resident): In prison in Uzbekistan
Current status: Assumed to be still imprisoned in Uzbekistan.
Press sources: Amnesty International (2006) Europe and Central Asia Summary of Amnesty International’s Concerns in the Region, July – December 2005