EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: EUR 60/20/93

Distr: UA/SC

14 October 1993

Further information on UA 291/93 (EUR 60/15/93, 26 August 1993) - and follow-up: EUR 60/18/93, 14 September 1993 - Death penalty

Tadzhikistan:Adzhik ALIYEV, islamic scholar

(in cyrillicАджик АЛИЕВ)

Amnesty International has learned that Adzhik Aliyev, who has been sentenced to death in Tadzhikistan, faces imminent execution.

The Chairman of the Supreme Council, Imamali Rakhmonov, has reportedly not yet turned down a petition for clemency, but he has been quoted as stating at an official dinner that " Adzhik Aliyev was a personal enemy and that he was not going to live". Sources in Tadzhikistan believe the execution could take place as soon as Monday, 18 October 1993.

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. Since the Supreme Court, the court of highest instance in the country, passed the death sentence Adzhik Aliyev's only remaining avenue of appeal was a petition for clemency to the Chairman of the Supreme Council who has the ultimate authority to commute or uphold a death sentence.

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

- calling on the Chairman of the Supreme Council (parliament) to commute the death sentence passed on Adzhik Aliyev;

- calling for the commutation of all pending death sentences in Tadzhikistan.

APPEALS TO:

1) 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 Chairman of the Supreme Court, I. Kh. Khodizhayev

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

Verkhovny Sud Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Predsedatelyu Khodizhayevu I.Kh.

The Procurator General, Mamadnazar Salikhov

Respublika Tadzhikistan

g. Dushanbe

prospekt Pravdy, 4

Prokuratura Respubliki Tadzhikistan

Generalnomu Prokuroru Salikhovu M.

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 25 November 1993.