EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: EUR 60/07/93

Distr: UA/SC

15 April 1993

Further information on UA 98/93 (EUR 60/06/93, 5 April 1993) - Fear of torture

TADZHIKISTAN: Bozo SOBIROV, poet

Amnesty International has learned that Bozo Sobirov has been charged with treason (Article 61 of the Tadzhik Criminal Code), an offence which carries a possible death sentence. No further details on why he was charged with treason are available at present. Bozo Sobirov is also said to suffer from a serious but unspecified kidney illness.

Bozo Sobirov, one of Tadzhikistan's finest poets, was arrested at the airport of Dushanbe, the capital of Tadzhikistan, on about 26 March 1993. He had gone to the airport to send a parcel to his son, who is living in exile in Moscow. He is being held at the investigation-isolation prison (in Russian Sledizolator or SIZO) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Dushanbe and Amnesty International fears that he is being tortured in detention.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/express and airmail letters either in English, Russian or in your own language:

- expressing concern for the safety of Bozo Sobirov who was arrested around 26 March 1993 and who is being held in the investigation-isolation prison of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Dushanbe;

- urging that he is not subjected to torture or any other form of ill-treatment;

- appealing for him to be granted immediate access to his lawyer and family and to necessary medical assistance.

APPEALS TO:

1) Chairman of the Supreme Council, Imamali Rakhmonov:

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

Verkhovny sovet Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Predsedatelyu Rakhmonovu I.

Telegrams: Tadzhikistan, Dushanbe, Predsedatelyu VS Rakhmonovu I.

Faxes: + 3772 22 69 71

Salutation: Dear Chairman

2) Procurator General of Tadzhikistan, Mamadnazar Soliyev:

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

Prokuratura Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Generalnomu Prokuroru Soliyevu M.

Telegrams: Tadzhikistan, Dushanbe, Gen. Prokuroru Soliyevu M.

Salutation: Dear Minister

Page 2 of FU 98/93

3) Minister of Internal Affairs, Yakub Salimov:

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

MVD Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Ministru Salimovu Ya.

Telegrams: Tadzhikistan, Dushanbe, MVD, Ministru Salimovu Ya.

Salutation: Dear Minister

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

Prime Minister, Abdumalik Abdullodzhanov:

Respublika tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

Kabinet Ministrov

Premyer-ministru Abdullodzhanovu A.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashid Olimov:

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

MID Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Ministru Olimovu R.

Representative of the Republic of Tadzhikistan in Moscow, Dzhamshed Karimov:

Rossiyskaya Federatsiya

121069 Moskva

Skatertnyy per., 19

Postoyannomu predstavitelyu Respubliki Taszhikistan v Moskve Karimovu D.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 27 May 1993.