28.10.2009 16:41 msk

Ferghana.Ru

The case of Andrey Zatoka, the prominent Turkmen environmental expert and Russian citizen, arrested in the city of Dashovuz, is scheduled to be considered in the court at 10am of October 29.

In the opinion of foreign missions, based in Turkmenistan, the authorities want to run the closed trial without the observers from outside. The point is that foreign diplomats in Turkmenistan need to direct the request to Interior Ministry and get back the official answer in order to be allowed to move around the country. However, due to state holidays they will not be able to receive the authorization on time since October 29 (the trial day) is the first business day after Independence Day holidays, celebrated on October 25-28.

It has to be mentioned that Andrey Zatoka was arrested on October 20 during the fight, initiated by local drug addict. Faked charges on bodily harm were imposed to him on October 23, Friday night, while the trial date was scheduled on the next day.

OSCE representatives will demand special authorization to travel around Turkmenistan and will do their best to arrive in Dashovuz as soon as possible.

Rapid progress in Zatoka’s case also surprised judicial system workers in Turkmenistan. One of them, interviewed by Eugenia (Andrey’s wife), was surprised to learn that it has been only four days between the date of "fight" (October 20) and accusation (October 24). What is the reason of such haste?

Vitalyi Ponomarev, the Head of the Memorial human rights center Central Asian program, notes that he cannot remember similar case. The investigation of criminal cases even in Asian countries takes up at least one month.

The picket in Moscow. Photo by International Socio-Ecological UnionThe picket in Moscow. Photo by International Socio-Ecological Union

At the yesterday’s picket in front of Turkmen embassy one of the posters said: "Investigation in 8 days? Stalin’s time"

Neither journalists nor human rights organizations are aware of official response from Russian government on Zatoka’s case. Today, the same-purpose picket will take place in Washington DC. On October 29 there will be also another picket in support of Turkmen environmentalist.