Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ASHGABAT96
2010-01-21 12:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: IS AMNESTY FOR IMPRISONED
how-toVZCZCXRO3937 PP RUEHAG RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHNEH RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHAH #0096 0211203 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 211203Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4105 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 6148 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3834 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 3693 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 4392 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHMCSUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 4318
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000096
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN; DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2020
TAGS: PHUM PGOV TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: IS AMNESTY FOR IMPRISONED
NIYAZOV-ERA OFFICIALS IN THE WORKS?
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000096
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN; DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2020
TAGS: PHUM PGOV TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: IS AMNESTY FOR IMPRISONED
NIYAZOV-ERA OFFICIALS IN THE WORKS?
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Embassy local staff member has learned that Seyitbay
Kandimov, a Niyazov-era Deputy Chairman for Finance and
Central Bank Chairman, recently had his prison sentence
reduced by three years. Kandimov has been in the Owadan-Depe
prison since May 2002. It was not clear when Kandimov is now
scheduled to be released. The son has not been allowed to
visit his father, but he can send him packages by bribing
prison guards, and he gets a short handwritten note back from
his father saying that he received the packages.
2. (C) Separately, POLOFF was told today by Yusup Kuliev, a
filmmaker, that Berdimuhamedov plans a broad amnesty of
imprisoned former officials to coincide with the 65th
anniversary of Soviet Victory Day (May 9). Kuliev's oldest
brother was a security official imprisoned by Niyazov in May
2002 for 18 years, charged with involvement in planning a
coup. Kuliev said his family is able to send packages to his
brother once a month. He also indicated that Berdimuhamedov
has wanted to release such prisoners for a while, but has
been prevented by a circle of close "advisors."
3. (C) Earlier this month, a couple of local sources
mentioned that officials of the Ministry of National Security
(MNB) had begun collecting biographic information about
prisoners who are former government officials and were jailed
on corruption charges, typically involving embezzlement.
(NOTE: Turkmen refer to such cases as "political" prisoners,
as opposed to "criminal" prisoners. END NOTE.) The
prisoners, identity documents are held by prison
authorities.
4. (C) COMMENT: There appears to be some government activity
regarding imprisoned officials, although whether it will lead
to amnesty for "political" prisoners remains to be seen.
Both of the specific cases mentioned did not involve
prisoners implicated in the November 2002 attack on Niyazov's
motorcade, which could be a factor in showing leniency. Even
recently, Turkmen officials have referred to those involved
in the 2002 incident as "traitors." END COMMENT.
CURRAN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN; DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2020
TAGS: PHUM PGOV TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: IS AMNESTY FOR IMPRISONED
NIYAZOV-ERA OFFICIALS IN THE WORKS?
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Embassy local staff member has learned that Seyitbay
Kandimov, a Niyazov-era Deputy Chairman for Finance and
Central Bank Chairman, recently had his prison sentence
reduced by three years. Kandimov has been in the Owadan-Depe
prison since May 2002. It was not clear when Kandimov is now
scheduled to be released. The son has not been allowed to
visit his father, but he can send him packages by bribing
prison guards, and he gets a short handwritten note back from
his father saying that he received the packages.
2. (C) Separately, POLOFF was told today by Yusup Kuliev, a
filmmaker, that Berdimuhamedov plans a broad amnesty of
imprisoned former officials to coincide with the 65th
anniversary of Soviet Victory Day (May 9). Kuliev's oldest
brother was a security official imprisoned by Niyazov in May
2002 for 18 years, charged with involvement in planning a
coup. Kuliev said his family is able to send packages to his
brother once a month. He also indicated that Berdimuhamedov
has wanted to release such prisoners for a while, but has
been prevented by a circle of close "advisors."
3. (C) Earlier this month, a couple of local sources
mentioned that officials of the Ministry of National Security
(MNB) had begun collecting biographic information about
prisoners who are former government officials and were jailed
on corruption charges, typically involving embezzlement.
(NOTE: Turkmen refer to such cases as "political" prisoners,
as opposed to "criminal" prisoners. END NOTE.) The
prisoners, identity documents are held by prison
authorities.
4. (C) COMMENT: There appears to be some government activity
regarding imprisoned officials, although whether it will lead
to amnesty for "political" prisoners remains to be seen.
Both of the specific cases mentioned did not involve
prisoners implicated in the November 2002 attack on Niyazov's
motorcade, which could be a factor in showing leniency. Even
recently, Turkmen officials have referred to those involved
in the 2002 incident as "traitors." END COMMENT.
CURRAN