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Tajik citizen released after three years of custody in Afghanistan

Tajik citizen Yakov Tsoi was released after three years of custody in Afghanistan and will return home soon

DUSHANBE, February 7 (Itar-Tass) —— Tajik citizen Yakov Tsoi was released after three years of custody in Afghanistan and will return home soon, Tajik Foreign Ministry spokesman Davlat Nazriyev told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.

In his words, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon personally assisted the release of the inmate sentenced to eight years by a false accusation.

“Yakov Tsoi is staying at the Tajik embassy in Kabul. He will be transported home as soon as possible,” Nazriyev said.

Afghan security services arrested Tsoi and his two compatriots, Khasanbek Otarayev and Shirinbek Iskandarov, in July 2008 on suspicion of smuggling ‘red mercury’ and selling it in Afghanistan.

Iskandarov was released last year. Otarayev died in prison. His death prompted the Tajik authorities to demand the release of Tsoi more firmly.

According to the official data of the Tajik Foreign Ministry, there are no less than ten citizens of Tajikistan serving their prison time in Afghanistan by doubtful accusations. Tajik human rights defenders say the number is ten times larger.

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