Odinaev, Ehson
Who, Why and How exiled: Since 2007, Ehson Odinaev (also known as Sarafrozi Olamafruz), has been living in Russia permanently. During the first years of his residency, he used to participate actively in public cultural events organised by the Embassy of Tajikistan in Moscow, as well as in the projects aimed at protection of the Tajikistan's economic migrants (AHRCA, 2015).
Stage 1 details (accusations/ charges/ Interpol notice/ extradition requests): Tajikistan declared him wanted by Interpol, accusing him of involvement in cybercrimes. These charges are believed to be politically motivated (AHCRA, 2015).
Stage 3 details (attack/ abduction/ rendition/ torture/ assassination/ death): On 19 May 2015, he left home located at 20 Tambov Street of St. Petersburg about 18.00, presumably heading to the Violet pharmacy in order to buy Aridzon – a medicine to relieve inflammation of his eye and did not return. His mobile phone is not answered, and he has not contacted anyone. When Ehson Odinayev’s brother and mother arrived at the apartment after his disappearance, they found that the place was illegally search (AHRCA, 2015). Ehson Odinaev’s disappearance came less than two months after Umarali Kuvvatov, Group 24’s leader, was shot and killed in Istanbul in circumstances that pointed to the involvement of the Tajik security services (Human Rights Watch, 2016).
Other actions during Stages 1–3 (dispossession/ overseas assets frozen/ intimidation/ action against associates/ …): For the last months before his disappearance, he secretly lived in his friend’s apartment. His family found eavesdropping devices planted there. They said that lately he often hinted to them that suspicious looking people were following him (AHCRA, 2015).
Current status: Current status unknown. He has disappeared. His family believe that he has been forcefully returned by Tajik authorities to Tajikistan, and is either held their incommunicado or is dead (HRW, 2019).
Press sources: Association for Human Rights in Central Asia (2015). 'Russia: Tajik blogger of the Group 24 Ehson Odinayev is missing.' Available at: http://nadejda-atayeva-en.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/russia-tajik-blogger-of-group-24-ehson.html Human Rights Watch (2016). 'Tajikistan: Video Spotlights Crackdown US, EU Should Consider Targeted Sanctions.' Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/09/21/tajikistan-video-spotlights-crackdown (15.05.2016) Human Rights Watch (2019). 'Submission to UN Human Rights Committee's Review of Tajikistan.' Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/06/11/submission-un-human-rights-committees-review-tajikistan