The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has arrested former Tajik Interior Minister Yakub Salimov in Moscow at the request of Tajik law enforcement agencies, Interfax and other Russian media reported on 30 June. A Tajik delegation is reported to be in Moscow seeking to arrange Salimov\'s extradition. Salimov has been accused of treason, murder, and planning an armed coup in 1996-97. Tajik opposition journalist Dodojon Atovulloev, who lives in exile in Moscow, told a correspondent for \"Kommersant-Daily\" that if Russia extradites Salimov, it \"risks losing Tajikistan in the future.\" Atovulloev\'s assessment of Salimov as one of the most influential political figures in Tajikistan and the man who brought President Rakhmonov to power was posted on the tajikistantimes.ru website. According to Atovulloev, Rakhmonov\'s former close associates, including Salimov, are now turning into his main enemies. After fleeing Tajikistan in 1997 following an attempted coup to overthrow Rakhmonov, Salimov joined the opposition in exile. Atovulloev added that Salimov\'s arrest is part of an effort by the Tajik authorities to induce Russian law enforcement agencies to round up the Tajik opposition in Moscow. (RIA-Novosti)