PUBLIC
14 September 2006
TURKMENISTAN
Ogulsapar Muradova (f), aged 58, journalist Annakurban Amanklychev (m), aged 35 Sapardurdy Khadzhiev (m), aged 47
Early on 14 September, officers from the Ministry of National Security of Turkmenistan informed Ogulsapar Muradova’s relatives that she had died in custody. Amnesty International is concerned at allegations that she was subjected to torture and ill-treatment in detention and urges the authorities to conduct a thorough, prompt and independent investigation into her death.
Several officers from the Ministry of National Security came to Ogulsapar Muradova’s flat early on 14 September and informed her three adult children, Berdy, Maral and Sona, of her death, before taking the three to the morgue in the capital, Ashgabat, where police officers were reportedly also present. The Ministry of National Security officers reportedly refused to disclose any information about the circumstances of her death, including the date when she died. The Ministry of National Security officers and police officers reportedly urged them to sign her death certificate. However, Berdy, Maral and Sona refused, and demanded to see her body first before signing the paper. Tadzhigul Begmedova, exiled director of the human rights group Turkmenistan Helsinki Foundation, told Amnesty International: “The officers shouted at them and said, ‘If you don’t sign this you will never see her body.”
Later, when the relatives returned to the morgue accompanied by a foreign diplomat, they were allowed to see Ogulsapar Muradova’s body. Tadzhigul Begmedova told Amnesty International: “They saw a huge wound on her forehead and marks on her neck.”
Despite persistent attempts by the relatives of Ogulsapar Muradova, Annakurban Amanklychev and Sapardurdy Khadzhiev to visit them in detention they have not been able to see them since their arrest in June. Ogulsapar Muradova’s death heightens Amnesty International’s concerns for the safety of Annakurban Amanklychev and Sapardurdy Khadzhiev.
Ogulsapar Muradova, Annakurban Amanklychev and Sapardurdy Khadzhiev were sentenced to terms of imprisonment in an unfair trial on 25 August. There are strong indications that the charges brought against them were fabricated to punish them for their human rights activities.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, Russian, Turkmen or your own language:
- expressing deep concern about the death in custody of Ogulsapar Muradova;
- urging the authorities to conduct a thorough, prompt, and independent investigation into the cause of her death; to keep Ogulsapar Muradova’s relatives informed of all steps of the investigation and to make the results public;
- stating that Amnesty International adopted Ogulsapar Muradova, Annakurban Amanklychev and Sapardurdy Khadzhiev as prisoners of conscience, detained for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression in defence of human rights, and has called for their prompt and unconditional release;
- urging the authorities to give Annakurban Amanklychev and Sapardurdy Khadzhiev immediate access to their relatives.
APPEALS TO: President President Saparmurad Niyazov Presidential Palace, 744000 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Fax: + 993 12 35 51 12 Salutation: Dear President Niyazov
Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashit Meredov Minister of Foreign Affairs Magtymguly avenue, 83 744000 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Fax: + 993 12 35 42 41 E-mail: mfatm@online.tm Salutation: Dear Minister
COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Turkmenistan accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 26 October 2006.
Amnesty International September 14, 2006
