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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ World Service is delighted that our colleague, Urunboy Usmonov, has been released today from detention on bail in Tajikistan.

His son Oybek picked him up from prison in Khojand today and he is at home. He has said he is tired but very happy. Our first priority is to see Urunboy reunited with his family.

Urunboy would like to pass on a huge thank you to everyone for their support.

We are waiting to see details of the terms of his release but we understand that he will be expected to stay in Khojand, at home, while the legal process takes its course.

Peter Horrocks, Director ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Global News, said: "We are encouraged that Tajik authorities have considered our appeals. As we have said all along we believe Urunboy is innocent and all he was doing was his journalistic work for the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳.

"We know that his family and friends are delighted to have Urunboy back and are appreciative of the support from colleagues at the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ and around the world."

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ World Service Press Office