Ukraine detains ex-Tajik PM over 'serious crimes'

"Abdumalik Abdullajanov, who was on an international wanted list since 1996, has been arrested at Kiev airport," a Ukrainian Interior Ministry official said on Wednesday.
 
Abdullojonov was flying in from the US, where he has lived since 1998, and arrived at Kiev's Borispil airport on Tuesday only to be greeted by Ukrainian police who took him into custody, for what Tajik officials call “very serious crimes.”
 
    "All the evidence about Abdullajanov's guilt in carrying out serious crimes will be presented," a Tajik official said.
 
 
Tajik police have yet to release full details on the charges. According to Tajik authorities, Abdollojonov allegedly attempted to assassinate Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Tajikistan's northern city Khujand in 1997 and allegedly staged a failed coup against Rakhmon’s government shortly after.
 
"He has been on the wanted list for 16 years. We very much hope that the Ukrainian authorities will take into account the irrefutable evidence gathered on Abdullojonov," Tajik police said.
 
The Ukraine officials detained Abdollojonov on request from Tajikistan. He remains in Kiev’s custody until authorities decide to extradite the 64-year-old man for a trial on charges that carry a 20-year jail sentence.
 
"The question of his extradition is now being decided," the Ukrainian police said in a statement.
 
Abdollojonov who served as Tajikistan’s premier in 1992-93, lost in a presidential election against Rakhmon in 1994.