Czech Republic/Uzbekistan: Fear of forcible deportation/fear of torture, Muhammad Salih

Index Number: EUR 71/004/2001
Date Published: 29 November 2001
Categories: Czech Republic, Europe And Central Asia

Exiled Uzbek opposition leader Muhammad Salih was arrested by Czech police when he arrived at Prague airport on 28 November, reportedly at the request of the Uzbek authorities. He may now be forcibly returned to Uzbekistan, where he would be at grave risk of torture. Muhammad Salih has had refugee status in Norway since 1999, and the Czech authorities should allow him to return to Norway, for the Norwegian authorities to decide on any request for extradition.