Russian wanted by Uzbekistan seeks political asylum

Moscow: A geologist in Russia wanted by authorities in Uzbekistan for arrest is seeking political asylum in Russian city of Bryansk, a migration official said Friday.

Uzbekistan has issued an international arrest warrant for Leonid Loshchakov on suspicion of forgery and embezzlement, the officials said. Loshchakov is being held at a pre-trial detention facility, said Tatyana Myslentsova, deputy head of the Federal Migration Service`s Bryansk region department. Loshchakov headed staff training at the Navoiysky Mining and Metallurgical Plant in Uzbekistan. He also oversaw a programme financed by the plant to send Uzbek students for training in Russia. In August, Loshchakov was summoned by military prosecutors in Uzbekistan and told that his activities posed a threat to national interests. He learned of having been placed on an international wanted list as he attempted to register with migration authorities in his native city of Bryansk. Myslentsova said the deadline for a decision on Loshchakov`s request for political asylum request is May 5. "We are prepared to help, but we don`t have all the materials," Myslentsova said. "We need to clarify what the situation is in Uzbekistan and what the consequences are if he returns." IANS