Kyrgyzstan Releases Wife Of Tajik Opposition Activist

Tajik opposition activist Sobir Valiev (file photo)

Kyrgyz authorities have released the wife of Tajik opposition activist Sobir Valiev after detaining her for about 22 hours.

The Kyrgyz human rights organization Kylym Shamy said on October 3 that Jannat Khamzaeva was released overnight.

Rahat Sulaimanov, spokesman for Kyrgyzstan's GKNB state security service, said Khamzaeva was interrogated as a witness in a criminal case launched against her husband, who is accused of illegal border crossing and forging a passport.

Khamzaeva is to be questioned again by security officials later on October 3.

She was detained overnight on October 2 upon her arrival at Bishkek's Manas airport from Istanbul.

Valiev said his wife had traveled to Kyrgyzstan to take care of her ailing mother, adding that she was not involved in any political activity.

Valiev, who is currently living in Warsaw, Poland, criticized Tajikistan's human rights record at an OSCE conference in the Polish capital last week.