Moscow, 10 March 1997 (RFE/RL) - Russian authorities over the weekend officially released Uzbek human rights activist Albert Mousin.
Moscow police detained Mousin last month at the request of Uzbek authorities, who were demanding he be extradited to stand trial in Tashkent. Russian officials initially said they would return Mousin to Uzbekistan.
Last year, Uzbekistan issued a warrant for Mousin's arrest, on charges of "intentionally spreading falsehoods undermining the state and society."
Mousin had been planning to travel to the West.
In an interview from Moscow with RFE/RL's Turkmenistan service, Mousin thanked international rights-monitoring organizations and broadcast organizations, which he said had spoken on his behalf to Uzbek and Russian authorities, and which had reported his detention.
Mousin is a freelance contributor to RFE/RL's Turkmenistan Service.