Longest-serving Turkmen political prisoner released
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 7 May 2009 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Longest-serving Turkmen political prisoner released, 7 May 2009, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4a0994201a.html [accessed 24 May 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 07, 2009
Muhammetguly Aymuradov (file photo)
Muhammetguly Aymuradov, the longest-serving political prisoner in Turkmenistan, has been released after serving more than 14 years in jail, Human Rights Watch says.
Aymuradov, 63, was released on May 2 from the Ovadan-Depe prison in the Karakum Desert, where all political prisoners are held.
He is reportedly in poor health with serious kidney ailments.
Aymuradov was arrested in Uzbekistan and extradited to Turkmenistan in 1994.
He was charged with antistate crimes and accused of trying to overthrow the Turkmen government.
Human rights activist Akmuhammet Welsapar told RFE/RL's Turkmen Service that Turkmen officials should be pressured to let him come to Moscow, where his family resides and where he could get needed medical treatment.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
