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Dushanbe looking for diplomatic ways of freeing convicted pilots

Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon took under personal control the situation over the fate of the pilots of the Russian air company

DUSHANBE, November 12 (Itar-Tass) — Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon took under personal control the situation over the fate of the pilots of the Russian air company – Russian citizen Vladimir Sadovnichy and Estonian citizen Alexei Rudenko, sentenced by a Tajik court to 8.5-year term of a strict regime colony, Itar-Tass learnt on Saturday at reliable sources at power and diplomatic structures of the republic.

“The head of state heared detailed information on the situation with the pilots from executives of all law enforcement bodies, including the State National Security Committee that conducted preliminary investigation,” explained sources.

According to their data, Dushanbe is looking for diplomatic ways “to pull out of this delicate situation”. “The Tajik authorities did not expect such a vigorous and negative response to the conviction as well as a resolute and quick demarche from Moscow,” they reckon.

Tajik defence lawyer Gulyam Boboyev also hopes for justification of the convicts. He reported on Saturday in an interview with Itar-Tass from the city of Kurgan-Tyube that “his clients tendered a cessation appeal against the passed sentence” and insist on their innocence.

Turning to conditions of internment at the investigative ward, Kurgan-Tyube court chairman Temur Boyev said that ”they have no complaints and contact their lawyers without at restrictions. As an exception, a team of a Russian TV channel was permitted to have a brief interview with them”.

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