Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PRAGUE1732
2005-12-16 13:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Prague
Cable title:
NOTWITHSTANDING INTERPOL NOTICES, UZBEK REFUGEES
how-toVZCZCXRO7906 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHPG #1732 3501319 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 161319Z DEC 05 FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6731 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 0057 RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 7227 RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT 0060
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001732
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PASS TO ERIC FICHTE, EUR/NCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREF PREL EZ UZ
SUBJECT: NOTWITHSTANDING INTERPOL NOTICES, UZBEK REFUGEES
ARRIVE IN CZECH REPUBLIC
REF: PRAGUE 1630
Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 b+d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001732
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PASS TO ERIC FICHTE, EUR/NCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREF PREL EZ UZ
SUBJECT: NOTWITHSTANDING INTERPOL NOTICES, UZBEK REFUGEES
ARRIVE IN CZECH REPUBLIC
REF: PRAGUE 1630
Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 b+d.
1. (C) Post has learned that the 15 Uzbek refugees selected
for resettlement in the Czech Republic arrived in the Czech
Republic December 15 (although this information has not yet
been made public).
2. (C) This number includes six refugees who are the subject
of Interpol "diffusion notices" issued by the Uzbek
government. Post understands that UNHCR, PRM, and U.S. law
enforcement authorities believe the issuance of the notices
was politically motivated (possibly to disrupt resettlement
of the refugees),and therefore these authorities view the
notices as invalid and unenforceable. After careful
consideration, the Czech MOI also took this view. Pavla
Fridrichova, an official in the MOI's Department for Asylum
and Migration Policy, confirmed December 16 that the Czechs
will not/not arrest the six refugees. As an Interpol member
state, the Czechs will conduct pro forma extradition
proceedings for the six, but do not plan to return them to
Uzbekistan. Fridrichova explained extradition would violate
Czech law because the six have "recognized refugee" status.
The only exception would be if new information emerges that
demonstrates any of the six is a terrorist. According to
Fridrichova, the exception is only "theoretical" in this case.
CABANISS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PASS TO ERIC FICHTE, EUR/NCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREF PREL EZ UZ
SUBJECT: NOTWITHSTANDING INTERPOL NOTICES, UZBEK REFUGEES
ARRIVE IN CZECH REPUBLIC
REF: PRAGUE 1630
Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 b+d.
1. (C) Post has learned that the 15 Uzbek refugees selected
for resettlement in the Czech Republic arrived in the Czech
Republic December 15 (although this information has not yet
been made public).
2. (C) This number includes six refugees who are the subject
of Interpol "diffusion notices" issued by the Uzbek
government. Post understands that UNHCR, PRM, and U.S. law
enforcement authorities believe the issuance of the notices
was politically motivated (possibly to disrupt resettlement
of the refugees),and therefore these authorities view the
notices as invalid and unenforceable. After careful
consideration, the Czech MOI also took this view. Pavla
Fridrichova, an official in the MOI's Department for Asylum
and Migration Policy, confirmed December 16 that the Czechs
will not/not arrest the six refugees. As an Interpol member
state, the Czechs will conduct pro forma extradition
proceedings for the six, but do not plan to return them to
Uzbekistan. Fridrichova explained extradition would violate
Czech law because the six have "recognized refugee" status.
The only exception would be if new information emerges that
demonstrates any of the six is a terrorist. According to
Fridrichova, the exception is only "theoretical" in this case.
CABANISS