BBC World Service Statement

The BBC has learnt with very great concern of the detention of its
reporter in Tajikistan, Urinboy Usmonov.

Mr Usmonov, who has worked for the BBC Central Asian Service for the
last ten years, was reported missing by his family on 13 June 2011
when he failed to return home after work. At 12:00 BST on 14 June
2011, after increasingly desperate searches by family and work
colleagues, Mr Usmonov appeared at his home accompanied by members of
the Tajik security services. Mr Usmonov’s family reported that he
appeared to have been beaten up.

A search was conducted of his home by the officers and he was then
taken away. He has been denied access to his family since then.

The BBC now understands that Mr Usmonov has been accused of having
links to the Hizbi Tahrir party — an Islamic organisation which is
banned in Tajikistan. Whilst Mr Usmonov has reported on the judicial
trials and activities of the Hizbi Tahrir party in Tajikistan at the
request of the BBC, the BBC has no reason to believe these
allegations. The BBC deplores the alleged treatment of Mr Usmonov
whilst detained, in particular the denial of access to a legal
representative.

The BBC demands that Mr Usmonov is released with immediate effect.

BBC