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´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service is concerned about the treatment of its correspondent, Urunboy Usmonov, after details of torture emerged during his trial which commenced this week in Khojand, Tajikistan.

When questioned, Mr Usmonov told the court that he'd been tortured in custody following his arrest on 13 June this year, including beatings and security officers burning his arms with cigarettes. He also said he'd been forced to sign a confession which had been dictated to him.

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ condemns the torture of Mr Usmonov and has asked the Tajikistan authorities to investigate these incidents.

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ has consistently maintained Mr Usmonov's innocence and regards the allegations as completely unfounded. Meetings and interviews with people representing all shades of opinion are part of the work of any ´óÏó´«Ã½ journalist.

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ has asked the Tajik authorities to drop all charges against Mr Usmonov so he can return to his work as a highly respected journalist and writer.

PC