A hearing to consider a request to extradite a Tajik citizen Sharofiddin
Gadoev to his country of
origin is scheduled for 11 July 2014 in Spain.
On 2 February 2014 in Madrid, Gadoev was arrested by
Spanish police following examination of his documents. He lives legally in Spain, in accordance with the administrative rules applicable to persons seeking international protection.
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| Sharofiddin Gadoev |
Sharofiddin Gadoev was born on 19 May 1985 in the Farhor district of the Kurgan Tyube (now Khatlon)
region of Tajikistan. He is a Tajik citizen. He has a law degree specialising in International Law. He is married and has a little daughter.
He is a member of
the informal political opposition organisation "Group-24."
He previously worked
as a general director
of the company "Trans Gold Tour" (Tajikistan)
Sharofiddin Gadoev is 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 loved ones Gadoev was forced to transfer a
profitable business to the family of president Rahmon.
Because of this conflict Gadoev had to leave for
Russia.
A group of Tajik businessmen led by Umarali Kuvatov,
including Sharofiddin Gadoev created a political organisation
named "Group of 24" in Russia. Gadoev informed the public
about the legal mechanisms to fight against the corruption that exists in the
higher echelons of power in Tajikistan and the obligations of Tajikistan in the field of human
rights protection.
Response to Sharofiddin Gadoev’s activities followed
quickly. Tajik law enforcement agencies declared him wanted for alleged economic crimes. However, the analysis of these documents revealed many factual inconsistencies and violations of legal
logic common to
fabricated criminal charges.
In Tajikistan, practice of torture is widespread, the
judiciary is subservient to
the executive, any lawyer defending a person representing the opposition finds his
licenses withdrawn
and even prosecuted on fabricated charges. Therefore, the
forced return of Gadoev to his country of
origin threatens his health, even his life and can easily turn into
extrajudicial killing of him.
The Association for Human Rights in
Central Asia urges Spain to fulfill obligations
under the agreements it ratified:
- United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, namely Article 3 of the Convention which prohibits the expulsion of persons to countries where they risk torture and ill-treatment;
- Unated Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees;
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
This information was sent to the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other
Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
