C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 001392

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY), NCE (NORDBERG)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2016
TAGS: PHUM PREL BU
SUBJECT: MURADOVA'S RELATIVES SEEK POLITICAL ASYLUM IN
BULGARIA

REF: A. ASHGABAT 1002

B. STATE 156497

Classified By: DCM A. KARAGIANNIS FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)

This is an action request: see para. 6.


1. (C) SUMMARY: Exiled relatives of Turkmen dissident
Muradova, who died under disputed circumstances in
Turkmenistan (ref A), believe Turkmen authorities are
blocking their calls to Muradova,s three children and allege
that Turkmen security forces are watching the family. The two
relatives are outspoken critics of the Turkmen government.
They have humanitarian status in Bulgaria but seek Embassy's
help in getting political asylum here. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) On September 21, we were contacted by Tadzhigul
Begmedova, the sister-in-law of Turkmen journalist Ogulsapar
Muradova. Begmedova and her husband Annadurdy Hadzhiev have
humanitarian status in Bulgaria (temporary protection that
does not give them as many legal rights as political asylum).
She related the same story described in reftels: Muradova was
arrested along with several family members, was tried and
convicted in a closed hearing, and died in custody under
suspicious circumstances. Begmedova believes the Turkmen
government did not want to release the body because Muradova
was tortured; she says Embassy Ashgabat was instrumental in
making the authorities release the body to the family. She
and her husband have been unable to contact Muradova,s three
children and suspect the Turkmen authorities are blocking
their calls. They hear from third parties that the family is
being followed by security forces.


3. (C) Separately, Begmedova also alerted us that Muradova,s
three children may try to leave for Turkey but will most
likely be stopped at the border. She believes that continued
scrutiny from Embassy Ashgabat would stop the Turkmen
authorities from taking drastic measures for fear of an
international scandal.


4. (C) Hadzhiev and Begmedova seek our help in gaining
political asylum in Bulgaria. According to Begmedova, their
continuous criticism of the Turkmen government makes them
targets for persecution -- the family receives threatening
phone calls from Turkmen-speaking callers, and their car was
inexplicably torched in January. While Bulgarian police have
no leads, Begmedova is convinced this is the work of
Turkmenistan,s security forces. The family left for
Bulgaria in 2002 when Hadzhiev came under close government
scrutiny for his political opinions.


5. (C) In 2003, the Varna District Court denied
Turkmenistan,s request for their extradition on embezzlement
charges, finding the government's case groundless and citing
fears that the charges were politically motivated. At the
same time, the State Agency for Refugees granted the family
humanitarian status, stopping short of political asylum. The
family reapplied for asylum on September 11, citing
Muradova,s death and the car torching as proof of
persecution, but their application was denied. Though they
are appealing the decision with the courts, they also hope
Embassy assistance will persuade the Bulgarian government to
reverse its decision.


6. (C) Action request: This internationally sensitive and
high-profile case has not yet received much public attention
in Bulgaria. That will change if the U.S. intervenes. With
the case currently before the Bulgarian courts, we obviously
cannot intercede formally. We do believe the Bulgarian
government would value our assessment of the situation in
Turkmenistan and our views on the political asylum request.
With humanitarian status, Begmedova and Hadzhiev can remain
in country but have fewer legal rights than political
refugees. We request unclassified points we can share with
the Bulgarian government.
BEYRLE