Maksudov, Zhakhongir
Who, Why and How exiled: Zhakhongir Maksudov and Adil Rakhimov claimed to have seen a protest in Andijan on 13 May 2005, but did not join in. Rasuldzhon Pirmatov admitted joining in. Yakub Tashbaev was a prisoner in Andijan prison (serving 14 years for drug possession) but was freed on the night 12-13 May 2005. All fled to Kyrgyzstan on 14 May in a panic, fearing persecution. They stayed in a tent camp (later Suzak refugee camp) operated by the UNHCR on the border with 524 other individuals who fled Andijan (UNHRC, 2008).
Stage 1 details (accusations/ charges/ Interpol notice/ extradition requests): On 12-13 May 2005, Uzbek authorities state that several men attacked a police station in Andijan, killing several officers, stealing firearms and freeing prisoners. Maksudov, Rakhimov and Pirmatov were accused of being three of these men and were charged in absentia with terrorism, violent attempt to overthrow the Uzbek constitutional order, mass disturbances, sabotage, illegal acquisition of firearms and premeditated murder. Tashbaev was charged with terrorism and escape from prison. He was also accused of being a member of the illegal "Akramiya" group. There was no evidence for any of these crimes. In early June 2005, the Uzbek authorities requested Kyrgyzstan to extradite 33 individuals, including Maksudov; all were charged with having committed crimes under various articles of the Uzbek Criminal Code (UNHRC, 2008). Uzbekistan submitted a total of 253 extradition requests for persons residing in the Suzak refugee camp on almost identical charges (UNHRC,2008).
Stage 2 details (arrest/ detention/ extradition): Taken into custody in Kyrgyzstan in June 2005. They were detained in the Osh detention cell prior to their extradition (UNHRC, 2008).
Stage 3 details (attack/ abduction/ rendition/ torture/ assassination/ death): He was extradited to Uzbekistan (UNHRC, 2008).
Legal status (refugee/ asylum seeker/ resident): Zhakhongir Maksudov, together with Adil Rakhimov, Yakub Tashbaev and Rasuldzhon Pirmatov, obtained refugee status with the UNHCR in Kyrgyzstan (UNHCR, 2008). Later however, their status application was revoked by the Kyrgyz department of Migration services (UNHCR, 2008).
Current status: On 11 August 2006, Zhakhongir Maksudov, together with Adil Rakhimov, Yakub Tashbaev and Rasuldzhon Pirmatov were extradited to Uzbekistan despite UNHCR Interim protection (Ferghana news, 2006).
Press sources: Ferghana News, 2006. "Kyrgyzstan turned refugees over to Uzbekistan bypassing the UN mission". 11th August, 2006.[Online]. Available at: http://enews.fergananews.com/articles/1549
Legal sources: UN Human Rights Committee, 2008. Maksudov and Rakhimov, Tashbaev and Pirmatov v. Kyrgyzstan, CCPR/C/93/D/1461,1462,1476& 1477/2006, July 31, 2008. [Online]. Available at: http://juris.ohchr.org/Search/Details/1445.