MOSCOW, April 4 (UPI) -- An alleged Taliban militant from Russia who once spent time in a U.S. detention center has asked officials in the Netherlands to grant him political asylum.
Shamil Khazhiyev - who RIA Novosti said spent time fighting with Taliban forces -- is seeking political asylum in the Netherlands after allegedly being harassed by security forces in his native Russia, the Moscow News reported.
After being arrested by U.S. forces in 2002 for his alleged Taliban involvement, Khazhiyev was detained at the U.S. detention facilities in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
U.S. officials gave custody of Khazhiyev and six other detainees to Russian forces in 2004.
The former inmate's lawyer, John Walls, said his client decided to leave Russia in March after he began fearing for his safety.
While Khazhiyez's request is being considered, the alleged militant is residing in a Netherlands refugee camp, the Moscow News said.
