Ibragim Todashev's girlfriend held in solitary

Tatiana Gruzdeva, whose boyfriend was killed in FBI questioning, told she faces deportation for talking to press

Published October 2, 2013 9:13PM (EDT)

Ibragim Todashev, the Chechnyan immigrant who was believed to have connections to the Boston Marathon bombings, was shot dead under questionable circumstances during an interview with an FBI agent earlier this year. Now, his girlfriend is being held in solitary confinement in a Florida prison and according to reports has been told she may be deported for talking to the press.

Boston Magazine reported:

In a collect call from Glades County Jail, where she said she is being held in solitary confinement, Tatiana Gruzdeva said that immigration officers told her she was being deported because of her interviews with Boston magazine.

The Glades County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Gruzdeva is being held in the county jail.

Gruzdeva, 19, said she had gone to sign work papers at the local immigrations office at 11 p.m. Tuesday. She had been waiting for weeks for the work authorization form that would allow her to earn a living. Instead, she said, she was taken aside and arrested. “They said it’s because of interview,” she said. “I’m in the room by myself,” she said repeatedly, crying.

Gruzdeva gave an exclusive interview to Boston magazine on September 18, in which she shared details of Todashev’s last days before being shot by the FBI. She told of learning of his death in May while being held in solitary confinement by immigration officials, part of a months-long detention. She was finally released in August, her visa extended for a year. She also broke the news to Boston magazine that her friend and roommate, Ashurmamad Miraliev—who had also been friends with Todashev—had been arrested and questioned by the FBI.


By Natasha Lennard

Natasha Lennard is an assistant news editor at Salon, covering non-electoral politics, general news and rabble-rousing. Follow her on Twitter @natashalennard, email nlennard@salon.com.

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