DUSHANBE, July 24, 2014, Asia-Plus – Spanish court has refused Tajik authorities’ request for extradition of Sharofiddin Gadoyev, one of activists of the Group 24 political movement opposing Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reports.

The court has reportedly taken into consideration the temporary political asylum status, which was granted to Sharofiddin Gadoyev in November 2013, as well as possible threat to his life in Tajikistan.       

We will recall that the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia (AHRCA) released an open letter on July 12, asking the Spanish authorities not to extradite Sharofiddin Gadoyev to Tajikistan due to lack of guarantees for a fair and just trial for him.

The letter, in particular, notes that if Gadoyev would be extradited to Tajikistan he would face real risks, including torture.

Sharofiddin Gadoyev was reportedly arrested by Spanish police in Madrid on February 2 this year.

The letter notes that Sharofiddin Gadoyev, 29, had previously worked as director-general of the company, Trans Gold Tour (Tajikistan).

Gadoyev is reportedly known to the public as a critic of the political regime in Tajikistan. He repeatedly spoke openly of the facts of malpractice on the part of President Emomali Rahmon and the use of his official position by the president’s family.

Under the threat of violence against him and his family Gadoyev was forced to transfer a profitable business to the family of President Rahmon and because of this conflict Gadoyev had to leave for Russia, the letter says.

Sharofiddin Gadoyev is an activist the Group 24 political movement opposing Rahmon, which was established by Tajik businessman Umaralai Quvvatov in Moscow in 2012.

Tajik law enforcement authorities reportedly declared Gadoyev wanted for alleged economic crimes.  “Analysis of these documents, however, revealed many factual inconsistencies and violations of legal logic common to fabricated criminal charges,” the letter says.

Sharofiddin Gadoyev was born in the Farkhor district of the Khatlon province on May 19, 1985.  He is national of Tajikistan.  Gadoyev graduated from the faculty of law, specialty area: international law.  He is married with a little daughter.