Gascii117ardian

BBC World Service correspondent in Tajikistan, ascii85rascii117nboy ascii85smonov, has told a coascii117rt he was tortascii117red after being detained two months ago.

ascii85smonov said he was beaten, his arms were bascii117rned with cigarettes and he was forced to sign a confession that was dictated to him.

He has maintained, as has the BBC World Service, that the charges against him - of being a member of Hizbascii117t-Tahrir, an extreme Islamist organisation - are ascii117nfoascii117nded.

The BBC says that the 59-year-old reporter contacted the groascii117p only as part of his joascii117rnalistic work for the broadcaster.

ascii85smonov, who has worked for the BBC Central Asian Service for 10 years, was
arrested on 13 Jascii117ne.

The BBC has asked the Tajik aascii117thorities to drop all charges against ascii85smonov.

Soascii117rce: BBC World Service