LATEST UPDATES: Ph.D. Student, Alexander Sodiqov, released on bail in Tajikistan

July 16, 2014

Free Alex

University of Toronto Statement

We are deeply concerned to hear reports that one of our Ph.D. students, Alexander Sodiqov, has been detained in Tajikistan, where he has been conducting research under the auspices of a UK-based project called “Rising Powers and Conflict Management in Central Asia.” The Department joins the University in urging the relevant officials to see to it that Alex’s rights are protected.

Read more here:

University of Toronto Statement

Departmental Response

The Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto is deeply concerned about the recent detention of its doctoral student Alexander Sodiqov. Sodiqov was detained on June 16, 2014, in Khorog, Tajikistan, where he was conducting research on civil society and conflict management. Sodiqov is a serious-minded researcher committed to improving our understanding of conflict resolution in Tajikistan and across the globe. As Sodiqov’s professors and colleagues, we urge the relevant authorities to ensure that Sodiqov’s rights are fully respected.

Ryan Balot

Professor and Acting Chair

Louis W. Pauly

Professor and Chair

Edward Schatz

Associate Professor and Chair, UTM

 

Essential Coverage / Information:

Date Title Source
22 July 2014 Tajik spy charge academic Alexander Sodiqov freed BBC News
22 July 2014 New York Event supporting Alex’s case New York University
13 July 2014 Hold a Vigil for Alexander Sodiqov Exeter Central Asian Studies Network
5 July 2014 Tajikistan and Britain agree there should be an objective investigation of Sodikova Radio Ozodi – Russian
2 July 2014 Why Canadians should care about the U of Toronto student jailed in Tajikistan Globe and Mail
2 July 2014 Researchers at Risk in Central Asia The Detention of Alexander Sodiqov Munk School Global Discussion – Youtube
1 July 2014 Tajikistan: Blogger and Academic Alexander Sodiqov Reportedly Charged with Treason Pen International
30 June 2014 Statement concerning the detention of University of Toronto political science student Alexander Sodiqov CPSA
27 June 2014 NDP MP Paul Dewar’s Statement regarding Alexander Sodiqov University of Toronto
23 June 2014 Statement about the detention of Alexander Sodiqov University of Toronto
18 June 2014 Scholars For Sodiqov Petition Scholars for Sodiqov

 

Latest Media Coverage:

Date Title Source
7 July 2014 Tajikistan: Free Alexander Sodiqov! Open Democracy
7 July 2014 L’affaire Alex Sodiqov : l’affaire de tous Le Devoir
7 July 2014 A post-Soviet dictatorship vs. an academic researcher Open Democracy
5 July 2014 “How I Almost Became a Spy”: This Tajik Editor-in-Chief Considers the Absurdity of Alexander Sodiqov’s Arrest Global Voices
2 July 2014 Statement concerning the detention of Alexander Sodiqov University of McGill, Dept. of Political Science
1 July 2014 Call to free detained Tajik academic Alexander Sodiqov BBC News
30 June 2014 Statement from Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland MP Chrystia Freeland
26 June 2014 U of T student’s detention abroad raises issue of schools’ responsibilities The Globe and Mail
26 June 2014 Outcry over student arrested in Tajikistan Al Jazeera
25 June 2014 The Tajiks’ Forgotten War NY Times
25 June 2014 Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies; the Association for the Study of Nationalities; and the Central Eurasian Studies Society: Statement Concerning The Detention of Academic Researcher Alexander Sodiqov ASEES, ASN, CESS, ESCAS
25 June 2014 Researchers at risk in Central Asia Washington Post
24 June 2014 Studying Tajikistan turns dangerous: A scholar faces treason charges The Economist
24 June 2014 Alex Sodiqov – GASPS Letter to Mrs. Sodiqov GASPS
24 June 2014 Alex Sodiqov – GASPS Statement of Support GASPS
24 June 2014 Studying Tajikistan turns dangerous: A scholar faces treason charges The Economist
24 June 2014 The number of researchers advocating liberation Sadykova reached 4.5 thousand Asia-Plus – Russian
23 June 2014 Alexander Sodiqov Is Not the First Person to be Arrested in Tajikistan For Doing His Job Global Voices
23 June 2014 Four and a half thousand scientists demanded early release of Alexander Sodikova Central Asia Today – Russian
23 June 2014 Statement about the detention of Alexander Sodiqov University of Toronto
22 June 2014 SCNS says Alexander Sodiqov transported to SCNS-run detention facility in Dushanbe Asia Plus
22 June 2014 Sign Petition: UofT Doctoral Student, Alexander Sodiqov Seized in Tajikistan CAPAL
22 June 2014 U of T student Alexander Sodiqov accused of spying and reportedly charged with high treason in Tajikistan National Post
20 June 2014 University Of Toronto Researcher Detained In Tajikistan Buzzfeed
20 June 2014 CAUT urges release of U of T researcher detained in Tajikistan CAUT
20 June 2014 U of Toronto student charged with treason in Tajikistan: Report Toronto Sun
20 June 2014 Local EU Statement on the Disappearance of Mr Alexander Sodiqov EEAS
20 June 2014 Alexander Sodiqov was Transferred to Dushanbe Radio Ozodi report – Russian
20 June 2014 Alexander Sodiqov was Transferred to Dushanbe Asia Plus report in Russian
20 June 2014 PhD student arrested, held incommunicado Asia Plus
20 June 2014 Statement of concerned scholars regarding Alexander Sodiqov Asia Plus
20 June 2014 The EU Delegation [in Tajikistan] is concerned about the disappearence of Mr. Alexander Sodiqov Asia Plus
20 June 2014 HRW: Free of Charge Researcher Human Rights Watch
19 June 2014 Phd student arrested, held incommunicado Amnesty International
19 June 2014 Detained Tajik researcher shown on local TV in Khorog Asia Plus
19 June 2014 Statement of Concerned Scholars Regarding Alexander Sodiqov (Signed by over 400 scholars and professors all over the world) Scholars for Sodiqov
19 June 2014 Fears grow for Canadian researcher arrested in Tajikistan The Guardian
18 June 2014 Netizen Report: Tajikistan Arrests Canadian Student, Partially Blocks YouTube and Google Slate
18 June 2014 OSCE media freedom representative concerned about disappearance of blogger in Tajikistan OCSE
18 June 2014 The OSCE requested the Government of Tajikistan for information on whereabouts of a journalists detained on espionage charges Russian Planet, in Russian
18 June 2014 Human rights activists are concerned about the arrest of Tajikistan researcher BBC Russian Services
18 June 2014 Freedom House urges Government to shed light on disappearance of researcher Asia Plus
18 June 2014 University of Toronto student arrested in Tajikistan Toronto Sun
18 June 2014 Freedom House Urges Transparency On Status Of Detained Tajik Scholar Radio Free Europe
18 June 2014 U of T student detained in Tajikistan, accused of spying Toronto Star
18 June 2014 Tajik Authorities Detain Global Voices Contributor Global Voices
17 June 2014 Authorities Detain Tajik Researcher, Whereabouts Uncertain Central Asia Today
17 June 2014 Tajikistan Must Shed Light on Disappearance of Researcher Freedom House
17 June 2014 The UK Ambassador to Tajikistan is concerned about Sodiqov Radio Ozodi, in Russian