23.10.2009 09:42 msk

Ferghana.Ru

The detainment period of Andrey Zatoka, prominent Turkmen environmentalist, arrested by law enforcement bodies of Turkmenistan last Tuesday expires this Friday. On October 23 the authorities must either accuse Andrey or release him. As a last resort they can extend the detainment period by special permission of prosecutor.

Ferghana.Ru sources in Dashovuz report that Andrey Zatoka may be accused of inflicting bodily harm. Friends, colleagues and Zatoka himself affirm that the conflict (the reason for arrest) was provoked by law enforcement agencies with the purpose to send competent scientist and public character to jail.

Unknown man attacked Zatoka in the city bazaar of Dashovuz, where Andrey was buying foodstuff (he was setting up things for the birthday party). Zatoka claims that in the next moment two police officers seized him.

Some sources indicate that the name of the person that attacked Zatoka is Abdulbek Kazakov. His nickname is "Aleshka-drug addict" and he served three sentences. The investigation agencies reported that Kazakov has brain concussion and broken hand. However, the victim was not even registered in the traumotology center. Moreover, the day after "fight" he was seen in good health condition. He washed cars and actively used his "broken" hand.

Turkmen authorities already brought Andrey Zatoka to trial in the past. In January of 2007 the environmental expert was conditionally sentenced to four year of prison by the city court of Dashovuz.

"Andrey Zatoka is one the most respected activists, environmentalists and public figures in Turkmenistan", says his colleague from Uzbekistan. "In due time Turkmenbashi ordered to suppress of all public figures in order prevent Georgian, Ukrainian and Kyrgyz scenario. The authorities started with Dashovuz since it was easier to do it first in the rural region. At that time we first heard about "spy and calumnious network". The projected ended with the death of Niyazov".

The international committee for Zatoka’s protection raised international concerns about his arrest. Over 200 public organizations demanded his immediate release. The case was reported to those days Russian President Vladimir Putin. (The details of Zatoka’s case of the last years are available at the website of International Socio-Ecological Union).

In September of 2007 Andrey Zatoka was forgiven by the Turkmen President’s decree. Despite cancellation of criminal record the authorities continued to put pressure on Zatoka, prohibiting him to leave the country and limiting his mobility within Turkmenistan. In this concern Zatoka filed few complaints about lawlessness of local law enforcement structures to the superior agencies, specifically, Prosecutor-General’s Office.

Perhaps, the fact that Zatoka never showed submission and continued executing his rights made the Turkmen authorities mad. Andrey’s friends and colleagues are afraid that three years after first verdict the undesirable human rights activist can be condemned without considering international opinion that believes in the reform-oriented policy of Turkmen government.

The activists of Russian Memorial center note that new accident is the evidence of stricter domestic policy of Turkmen President Berdymukhammedov on the background of softer critics from the West, interested in the access to Turkmen energy sources.