A Tajik opposition figure wanted by Dushanbe for an alleged $1.2 million fraud has reportedly disappeared from a detention center in Dubai.
Umarali Quvatov’s lawyer told RFE/RL on March 19 his client was removed from his cell last week and his whereabouts are unknown.
Nikolai Nikolayev said Quvatov may have been taken away by Tajik security officials.
Quvatov was arrested in the United Arab Emirates in December and an extradition hearing was set to resume on April 10.
A spokesman for the Tajik State Committee for National Security told RFE/RL that the allegations made by Quvatov's lawyer are "groundless."
Quvatov, a successful businessman, used to have close ties to the family of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.
Last summer Quvatov left Dushanbe for Moscow and established a political group opposing Rahmon.
Umarali Quvatov’s lawyer told RFE/RL on March 19 his client was removed from his cell last week and his whereabouts are unknown.
Nikolai Nikolayev said Quvatov may have been taken away by Tajik security officials.
Quvatov was arrested in the United Arab Emirates in December and an extradition hearing was set to resume on April 10.
A spokesman for the Tajik State Committee for National Security told RFE/RL that the allegations made by Quvatov's lawyer are "groundless."
Quvatov, a successful businessman, used to have close ties to the family of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.
Last summer Quvatov left Dushanbe for Moscow and established a political group opposing Rahmon.
