Asadullo Boboev, a Tajik opposition activist deported from Germany in June over an expired residence permit, has been sentenced in Dushanbe to 17 years in prison on charges including online calls for extremism, according to two sources who spoke to RFE/RL anonymously.
Boboev, 54, belongs to the Europe-based Reforms and Development of Tajikistan movement. Human Rights Watch had warned before his removal that he risked detention and mistreatment, and Germany's Left Party has asked the government to explain the deportation. Tajik authorities have not published details of the case.
RFE/RL lists several other activists returned from Germany, Austria and Poland in recent years who were later given long sentences. Exiled dissidents told the broadcaster the cases have left them fearful of being sent back and doubtful that European governments will protect them.
Source: RFE/RL
