On September 12, around noon, two cars made a head-on collision 200-250 meters from the traffic police post of the Boldumsaz district of Dashoguz province. One of the cars is registered in the city of Dashoguz, the other in the city of Koneurgench. As a result of the accident, the cars were thrown to the side of the road. Seven of ten passengers died on the spot, three were taken to the Central Hospital of Boldumsaz district.

A source who wished to remain anonymous said: “One of the victims was going to a meeting on official business in the city of Koneurgench. However, colleagues who visited him in the hospital warned the victim on behalf of the management not to mention the business trip, allegedly it was his private trip. They say, otherwise, they will all be persecuted by the security forces, with or without reason, and extorted money...”

In Turkmenistan, people are afraid of any mention of their names in reports of law enforcement agencies: let it be a list of victims or witnesses, colleagues, it makes no difference.

At the victims' wake, fellow villagers, colleagues and relatives are outraged that the authorities, even at such moments, are trying to hide real information about what happened from the people.

Turkmen Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights