EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: EUR 60/15/93

Distr: UA/SC

UA 291/93Death penalty/legal concern26 August 1993

TADZHIKISTAN:Adzhik ALIYEV, islamic scholar

(in cyrillicАджик АЛИЕВ)

Amnesty International is deeply concerned that Adzhik Aliyev has been sentenced to death in the former Soviet republic of Tadzhikistan after what may have been an unfair trial. The organization fears that Adzhik Aliyev faces imminent execution. It is calling on the authorities in Tadzhikistan not to uphold this death sentence and to order a review of Adzhik Aliyev's conviction.

Adzhik Aliyev, who is a Mullah (an Islamic scholar), was sentenced to death on 25 August 1993 by the Supreme Court of Tadzhikistan. He was convicted of treason, terrorism and murder, having reportedly been charged with leading an armed group during Tadzhikistan's recent civil war. It has been alleged that Adzhik Aliyev was denied a lawyer of his own choice. He reportedly rejected the services of a woman lawyer appointed by the authorities; unofficial sources have suggested that the authorities deliberately appointed a woman lawyer knowing that Adzhik Aliyev would refuse her services on religious grounds.

Adzhik Aliyev is 44 years old. He was chairman of the branch organization of the Islamic Renaissance Party in Dangara district, Khatlon region (south Tadzhikistan), and a member of the party's presidium.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Islamic Renaissance Party was part of a coalition government which held power in Tadzhikistan from May to November 1992, but which resigned because of escalating civil war. The communist-dominated administration which was installed in its place in November claims that the coalition had come to power in May by means of a "criminal conspiracy" which had eventually led to the overthrow of President Rakhmon Nabiyev in September. The new government also blames the Islamic Renaissance Party and its coalition partner the Democratic Party for the civil war which raged in Tadzhikistan for much of 1992. Along with the Democratic Party and the Lali Badakhshon and Rastokhez movements, the Islamic Renaissance Party was banned by the Supreme Court of Tadzhikistan on 21 June 1993. The court ruled that the parties and movements had violated their own statutes and programmes by foregoing the pursuit of parliamentary methods to achieve their political goals, in favour of the violent seizure of power.

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

- expressing concern that Adzhik Aliyev has been sentenced to death after a trial for which he was allegedly denied the services of a lawyer of his own choice, in violation of international human rights standards;

- calling on the Procurator General to protest against Adzhik Aliyev's conviction and to request a review of the case;

- calling on the Chairman of the Supreme Council (parliament) to commute the death sentence passed on Adzhik Aliyev should a petition for clemency come before him.

Page 2 of UA 291/93

APPEALS TO

1) The Procurator General, Mamadnazar Salikhov:

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

prospekt Pravdy, 4

Prokuratura Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Generalnomu prokuroru Salikhovu M.

Telegrams: Tadzhikistan, Dushanbe, Prokuratura Respubliki, Glav. prokuroru Salikhovu M.

Salutation: Dear Procurator General

2) The Chairman of the Supreme Council, Imamali Rakhmonov:

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

Verkhovny Sovet Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Predsedatelyu Rakhmonovu I.

Telegrams: Tadzhikistan, Dushanbe, Verkhovny Sovet, Predsedatelyu Rakhmonovu I.

Faxes: + 7 3772 22 69 71

Salutation: Dear Chairman

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashid Olimov:

Respublika Tadzhikistan

734051 Dushanbe

MID Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Ministru Olimovu R.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 7 October 1993.