Tursunov, Khayrullo
Who, Why and How exiled: Tursunov Khayrullo fled to Kazakhstan with his family in 2009 fearful that Uzbek authorities might persecute him because of his faith (AsiaNews it., 2013).
Stage 1 details (accusations/ charges/ Interpol notice/ extradition requests): He was accused of religious extremism by the Uzbek authorities (OHCHR, 2013). In 2012, a criminal charge was brought against him accusing him on participation in religious extremist, separatist, fundamentalist or other banned organisations (OHCHR, 2013).
Stage 2 details (arrest/ detention/ extradition): On the 7th of April, 2012, while travelling from Kazakhstan to the Russian Federation, he was arrested by Kazakhstan’s authorities in Aktobe. Tursunov was allegedly transferred to a detention centre in Almaty in February 2013 (OHCHR, 2013).
Stage 3 details (attack/ abduction/ rendition/ torture/ assassination/ death): In 2013, he was extradited from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for religious extremism (AsiaNews, it., 2013; Fergana news, 2013). There is evidence of torture and other ill-treatment and imprisonment in cruel, inhuman and degrading conditions following an unfair trial (Forum 18, 2013).
Other actions during Stages 1–3 (dispossession/ overseas assets frozen/ intimidation/ action against associates/ …): Some foreign-based relatives suspect that the authorities may have sought Tursunov in revenge for his wife's escape from Uzbekistan. Nodira Buriyeva fled from the country after being interrogated and threatened with rape before a relative was jailed for being a devout Muslim ( Forum 18, 2013). While serving his prison time, Tursunov was exposed by the authorities to the potentially fatal disease of tuberculosis (Forum 18, 2013)
Legal status (refugee/ asylum seeker/ resident): Tursunov applied for refugee status through the UNHCR in Kazakhstan. The Almaty Department of Kazakhstan's Migration Committee rejected Mr. Tursunov's request for asylum on
6 October 2010 (OHCHR, 2013).
Current status: Serving his sentence in a labour camp in Uzbekistan.
Press sources: Asianews, it., Court ignores UN appeals, jails Muslim man for "extremism", 27 June, 2013. [Online]. Available at: http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Court-ignores-UN-appeals,-jails-Muslim-man-for-extremism-28322.html Forum 18, "UZBEKISTAN: Prisoner of conscience exposed to TB", 5 November, 2013. [Online]. Available at: http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=1893 Forum 18, "UZBEKISTAN: Prisoner of conscience "saying his last goodbye to his sisters" [Online]. Available at: http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2149 Fergana news, "Казахстан выдал Узбекистану еще одного беженца - Хайрулло Турсунова"[Online]. Available at: http://www.fergananews.com/news/20337
Legal sources: UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, "Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief", 26 July, 2013. [Online]. Available at:https://spdb.ohchr.org/hrdb/24th/public_-_AL_Uzbekistan_26.07.13_(2.2013).pdf