Document - Tajikistan: Further Information on Imminent execution/ Torture, Abduali Kurbanov (m) aged 44

PUBLIC AI Index: EUR 60/002/2004

10 March 2004

Further Information on UA 97/04 (EUR 60/001/2004, 04 March 2004) - Imminent execution/Torture

TAJIKISTAN Abdulai KURBANOV

President Rakhmonov today decided not to execute Abdulai Kurbanov. The international community, alerted by Amnesty International and human rights activists, had been urging him not to let the execution go ahead.

On 4 March Amnesty International learned that Abdulai Kurbanov was in imminent danger of being executed, despite intervention on his behalf by the UN Human Rights Committee last November.

To Amnesty International’s knowledge this is the first time an execution has been stopped at such a late stage in Tajikistan. We would like to thank everyone who joined the efforts to save Abdulai Kurbanov's life.

Many thanks to all who sent appeals. If possible, please send a final round of appeals, in English, Russian, Tajik or your own language:

- welcoming President Rakhmonov's decision not to execute Abdulai Kurbanov.

APPEALS TO: (Please note that it can be difficult getting through to fax numbers in Tajikistan. If a voice answers, repeat 'fax' until you hear the signal; otherwise it is advisable to leave your fax machine on auto-redial if possible. Fax machines may be switched off outside office hours – six hours ahead of GMT):

President of the Republic of Tajikistan

g. Dushanbe, pr. Rudaki 80

Apparat Prezidenta Respubliki

Prezidentu RAKHMONOVU I.Sh

Tajikistan

Telegrams: Prezidentu Rakhmonovu, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Faxes: +992 372 21 18 37

E-mails: primer@pds.td.silk.org (if your e-mail bounces, please send it as a fax if possible)

Salutation: Dear President Rakhmonov

and to diplomatic representatives of Tajikistan accredited to your country.