KYIV. March 18 (Interfax) - Former Tajik Prime Minister Abdumalik Abdullajanov believes his possible extradition to Tajikistan would effectively mean his death sentence.
"I thought Ukraine is a European country. It should respect both its laws and international ones. I can't understand the prosecutors' position. This means the law has been broken nearly four times," Abdullajanov told journalists in Kyiv on Friday in a recess from a hearing at the Shevchenkivsky Court, which later sanctioned his extradition arrest.
"If such a judgment is made [on his extradition arrest and extradition to Tajikistan], this would be equal to a death sentence. I am declaring this officially," Abdullajanov said.
He said he was about to be granted U.S. citizenship and insisted that his persecution at home is politically motivated.
The ex-prime minister pointed out that he has had refugee status in the U.S. since 1999 and has a refugee travel document, with which he had been safely traveling around Europe and other countries and which was presented to the Ukrainian court.
Abdullajanov said he had come to Ukraine as a private person, and his detention and arrest were unexpected to him.
Asked why he is being treated this way in Tajikistan, Abdullajanov replied, "This is being done out of fear before the elections. They know about my authority with the people there. The economic and social situation in Tajikistan is very bad. The rulers are afraid today that any changes could be against them."
The ex-premier said he was perplexed that, before coming to Ukraine, he received a visa and was sure that he could safely stay in Ukraine.
"It is for sure that someone stands behind this," he said.
Abdullajanov said he worried about his life. "I think my transportation is unlikely to be completed. They don't need me alive," he said.
An extradition arrest in Ukraine serves as a restrictive measure imposed on a person whose extradition to another country is under consideration. The Shevchenkivsky Court sanctioned Abdullajanov's extradition arrest for no longer than 12 months on Friday. Abdullajanov's defense attorney Andriy Fedur said the prosecution agencies started considering Abdullajanov's extradition on February 20, 2013, and this procedure should be completed within 60 days.