Former Tajik Lawmaker Fails To Appear For Trial

Tajik authorities have added a former regional lawmaker and businessman from northern Sughd Province to their most-wanted list after he failed to show up for his trial on murder and embezzlement charges.

Officials at Tajikistan's Supreme Court told RFE/RL on June 23 that Nizomhon Juraev was subpoenaed on June 16 but did not appear for his trial on June 18.

His current whereabouts are unknown.

Juraev was arrested in Russia in 2010 at the request of Tajik authorities.

Juraev then appeared in Tajikistan in 2012 after Russian authorities released him for unexplained reasons.

He then testified as a key witness in several high-profile trials against an opposition politician, former Supreme Court judges, and other officials.

Juraev had been asked not to leave Dushanbe before his trial.