Ukrainian Court Extends Detention For Former Tajik Prime Minister

March 15, 2013

A court in Kyiv has ruled that former Tajik Prime Minister Abdumalik Abdullojonov can be held in detention for up to 12 months while his possible extradition to Tajikistan is decided.

Abdullojonov was arrested last month at Boryspil Airport near Kyiv on an international warrant after arriving from the United States.

Abdullojonov, who challenged veteran Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in the 1994 presidential election, is accused by the Tajik authorities of involvement in a 1996 assassination attempt on Rahmon.

He is also accused of backing a 1998 militant attack in the Sughd region, and of organized-crime and terrorism-related offenses.

Abdullojonov denies the charges.

For the past decade, he has lived in the United States.

Abdullojonov's lawyer, Andriy Fedur, told journalists Friday that he will appeal the court's ruling.

Based on reporting by UNIAN and Interfax