TURKMENISTAN: DETENTION OF TWO JEHOVAH'S WITNESS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASHGABAT 000738 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN; DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KIRF PGOV SOCI TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: DETENTION OF TWO JEHOVAH'S WITNESS CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for Internet distribution. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Jehovah's Witness leaders recently provided details about the imprisonment of two Jehovah's Witness conscientious objectors who had previously received suspended sentences for refusing to enlist in the military. It remains unclear why authorities in Serdar city overturned their previous sentence and sent the brothers to prison. There are twelve Jehovah's Witness conscientious objector cases in Turkmenistan, the bulk of which are in Dashoguz city. Although the other ten conscientious objectors are not in detention, the clash between their religious beliefs and the law requiring military service exposes them to ongoing run-ins with authorities. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (SBU) On June 5, Political Officer met with Jehovah's Witness leader, Andrey Zhbanov, and his deputy, Aleksandr Zorin, to discuss the June 2 Forum 18 New Service report about the May 21 jailing of two Jehovah's Witness conscientious objectors for refusing compulsory military service. Zhbanov and Zorin confirmed the report and provided additional details. The two brothers, Sakhetmurad and Mukhammedmurad Annamamedov, resident in Serdar, Balkan province, had been given two-year suspended sentences in November 2008 for refusing to serve in the military. The terms of the suspended sentences included a one-year "trial" period during which the brother's were required to check-in weekly at the local police station. Zorin explained that, the first time the brothers reported to the police station, they signed a document in which they agreed not to leave the district for one year. The police then told them that they did not need to check-in on a weekly basis. The Annamamedov brother's had no further contact with the police until May 19, when they were summoned to the military enlistment office and told that they would be amnestied and needed to provide copies of their internal passports (identity documents). On May 21, they were again summoned and were asked why they did not serve in the military. They responded in writing that they did not serve for religious reasons. From the enlistment office, the brothers were taken directly to a court for a judicial proceeding. According to Zorin, the police initiated the proceeding, although it was unclear what role the police played. The police reported to the court that the brothers had not "reformed." The judge, without further explanation, changed the previous suspended sentence to two years imprisonment. The judge and the prosecutor were the same officials from the November proceeding. The Annamamedovs had no defense counsel. Following the proceeding, they were held for a couple days in a local detention facility before being sent to the prison in Turkmenbashi on May 24. ¶4. (SBU) The Annamamedovs had phoned their father just before the judicial proceeding and he rushed to the court, but he was recognized and not allowed to enter. Following the proceeding, he tried to obtain a copy of the decision, but court officials refused. The father, also a Jehovah's Witness, had in the past been detained several times and imprisoned because of his religious beliefs. According to Zhbanov, from 1999-2001, the father served three years of a four-year prison sentence for illegal possession of ammunition. The ammunition was allegedly planted by police while they were searching his house. Since his release from prison, he had no further problems with the authorities, although he suffers from tuberculosis and other health conditions as a result of his imprisonment. ¶5. (SBU) Zhbanov and Zorin could not offer an explanation as to why officials in Serdar changed the Annamamedov's suspended sentence and sent them to prison. Conscription in the military occurs twice a year, in November and May. Zhbanov suggested that perhaps the officials involved in the case thought the brothers might have changed their minds ASHGABAT 00000738 002 OF 003 since November. Zhbanov provided a list describing the current status of all twelve Jehovah's Witness conscientious objectors, including the Annamamedovs, saying the same outcome could happen to others. Details from the list are provided below. Vladimir Golosenko, Turkmenbashi city -- Sentenced on February 12, 2008 to two years of "reforming employment" at his place of residence, with twenty percent of his salary to be paid to the government. After three months, the twenty percent deduction stopped. He was told that he was granted amnesty, although he has no written document to that effect. He continues to work at the water works as a pipe fitter and his family considers the matter closed. Atamurat Suvkhanov, Dashoguz city -- Sentenced on December 17, 2004 to 1-1/2 years imprisonment. Amnestied on April 17, ¶2005. Since his release, he has been summoned to the military enlistment office, most recently in May 2009. He refused to enlist and his case was transferred to the local authorities. Rinat Babadzhanov, Dashoguz city -- Sentenced on June 23, 2003 to 1-1/2 years imprisonment. Amnestied on June 12, ¶2004. The enlistment office continues to contact him for military service. Mansur Masharipov, Dashoguz city -- Sentenced on May 28, 2004 to 1-1/2 years imprisonment. Amnestied on April 16, 2005. The enlistment office continues to contact him for military service. Zafar Abdullaev, Dashoguz city -- Sentenced April 8, 2009. Received a two-year suspended sentence. He is required to sign-in weekly at the police station. Dovran Kushmanov, Dashoguz city -- Sentenced April 22, 2009. Received a suspended sentence. In March, Kushmanov had sent a complaint to the prosecutor about the authorities' seizure of his computer and some religious literature. A few days later, Kushmanov was summoned to the prosecutor's office and questioned about why he did not enlist in the military. Court action followed. Makhmud Khudaibergenov, Dashoguz city -- Summoned for enlistment in 2009. Based on the reason for his refusal to enlist, his case was turned over to the prosecutor. Matkarim Aminov, Dashoguz city -- Summoned for enlistment in February 2009. In March, his case was passed to the prosecutor. Case dropped because he was underage. Following his April 17 birthday, Aminov was again summoned to enlist. Because of his refusal, his case again passed to the prosecutor on April 27. He was told his case is closed until the next call-up in November. Shadurdy Uchetov, Dashoguz city -- Summoned for enlistment in ¶2006. After his refusal, case passed to the prosecutor and the mayor's office, where his case was discussed with him. During 2007-2008 his enlistment was postponed. In May 2009, the case was again passed to the prosecutor and is being investigated. Akmurad Egendurdyev, Dashoguz city -- Summoned to enlist in 2008, refused and was given a postponement. In 2009, summoned again and brought to prosecutor's office. He was asked if he had a medical condition and directed to have a medical check-up, which is ongoing. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: The semi-annual May and November call-ups for military enlistment provide a regular opportunity for authorities to harass Jehovah's Witness conscientious objectors, apparently even those who served prison time and were amnestied. It brings to light the situation that, even ASHGABAT 00000738 003 OF 003 when not actually serving time in prison, these conscientious objectors still face ongoing problems on account of their religious beliefs and the failure of Turkmen law to legalize their status. END COMMENT. MILES