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Russia Denies Entry To Tajik Opposition Journalist


Dodojon Atovulloev, a journalist and one of the leaders of Tajik opposition movement Vatandor, in a 2010 photo
Dodojon Atovulloev, a journalist and one of the leaders of Tajik opposition movement Vatandor, in a 2010 photo
A well-known Tajik opposition journalist has been denied entry at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport.

Officials at the airport told RFE/RL that journalist Dodojon Atovulloev was asked to buy a ticket to Prague, Czech Republic, the city he arrived from on July 15.

The airport officials did not elaborate on why the journalist was not allowed to enter Russia.

Tajik Deputy Prosecutor-General Abdurashid Kishvarzoda told RFE/RL that Tajik authorities have nothing to do with the situation.

Atovulloev, who has been living in the Russian capital for the last 20 years, survived an apparent assassination attempt last year.

He was stabbed several times in a Moscow restaurant.

Atovulloev believes the attack was connected with his journalistic activity.

Atovulloev is well-known for his reports criticizing Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and members of his family.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

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