Iranian Citizens Seek Asylum In Tajikistan

(RFE/RL) August 1, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Two Iranian nationals imprisoned in Tajikistan for illegally entering the country have asked the Tajik government and international organizations to help them obtain political asylum, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reported.

The two men, Mehdi Musavi and Asad Haidari, said they had converted to Christianity and were involved in political activity in Iran, and that their pending deportation to Iran would put their lives in danger.

Interfax quoted officials from Tajikistan's Justice Ministry as saying the men have fabricated their alleged conversion to get asylum, and that they would eventually be deported to Iran.

(with material from agency reports)