Kasymakhunov, Yusup
Who, Why and How exiled: Charged in Uzbekistan with membership of Hizb-ut Tahrir, a radical Islamic organisation banned in Uzbekistan and Russia. Left Uzbekistan for Russia in 1995. In 2011, he admitted to having been a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir until 2004 (ECHR, 2013).
Stage 1 details (accusations/ charges/ Interpol notice/ extradition requests): Uzbek authorities opened criminal proceedings against Kaysmakhunov in 1999, on suspicion of membership of Hizb ut-Tahrir. Charged in absentia in 1999 with attempting to overthrow the constitutional order and of founding several sections of Hizb ut-Tahrir and recruiting minors. He was also accused of distributing literature calling for the overthrow of governments throughout the world and replacing them with an Islamic State. Uzbekistan ordered a warrant for his arrest (ECHR, 2013).
Stage 2 details (arrest/ detention/ extradition): Arrested in Russia in February 2004. Uzbek authorities lodged a formal request for his extradition in March 2004. Charged by a Russian court with aiding and abetting terrorism, founding a criminal organisation and use of forged documents. Sentenced to seven years' imprisonment. Finished serving his term in 2011 and Uzbek extradition proceedings resumed. Detention extended until December 2012. Appeals against extradition were denied, and the extradition order was upheld by the Russian Supreme Court in July 2012. Released in December 2012 as maximum detention period had expired (ECHR, 2013).
Stage 3 details (attack/ abduction/ rendition/ torture/ assassination/ death): After his release from detention in December 2012, he claimed that two cars were following him everywhere and that he feared abduction. Disappeared on 14 December 2012 and was later discovered to have departed Domodedovo Airport for Tashkent on this day, despite not having a passport. The Taldom Town Investigations Committee refused to open criminal proceedings regarding the disappearance three times, but agreed to open proceedings in February 2013. They are currently pending (ECHR, 2013).
Other actions during Stages 1–3 (dispossession/ overseas assets frozen/ intimidation/ action against associates/ …): During his trial his lawyer Bakhrom a Hamroyevawas beaten up by unknwon people. He believed he was under surveillance of the Uzbek authorities (Ferghana news, 2011).
Legal status (refugee/ asylum seeker/ resident): Applied for refugee status in Russia in 2011, claiming that he feared torture in Uzbekistan in the criminal proceedings against him. Russia repeatedly denied his applications (ECHR, 2013).
Current status: Current whereabouts within Uzbekistan remain unknown.
Press sources: Ferghana news, "Россия: В Мурманске начался судебный процесс в связи с запросом об экстрадиции гражданина Узбекистана", 9th June, 2011. [Online]. Available at: http://www.fergananews.com/news.php?id=16845 Ponomorev, Vitali .2005."РОССИЯ: СПЕЦСЛУЖБЫ ПРОТИВ ИСЛАМСКОЙ ПАРТИИ «ХИЗБ УТ-ТАХРИР". Memorial. [Online]. Available at: https://memohrc.org/sites/default/files/old/files/282_source.pdf
Legal sources: European Court of Human Rights, "Case of Kasymakhunov v. Russia. Judgment", 14 November, 2013. [Online]. Available at: http://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-119416.