Turkmenistan: Former deputy Prime-Minister died in the prison of Ovadan-depe
Redjep Saparov, once considered as most probable successor of Saparmurat Niyazov, former deputy Prime-Minister and Head of President’s office in Turkmenistan, died in the high security prison in Ovadan-depe, Hronika Turkmenistana reports.
Ten days ago the relatives received the body of one-time highly ranked official that was sentenced to 20 years of jail in 2005 after being condemned in "bribery, embezzlement, appropriation of property, illegal purchase and storage of weapons, ammunition, explosives and equipment, abuse of power".
At the time mass media reported that crime detection officers found 107 kilo of gold and silver jewelries, encrusted by precious stones in the total value of 10 million US dollars, over a hundred of special Turkmen rugs and 2.161 million US dollars in cash. Official authorities reported many crimes, committed by Saparov. Allegedly, Saparov received big bribes for putting people to the managing positions in the state structures.
Three weeks before the verdict Saparmurat Niyazov told Saparov: "You worked for me for twenty years. Although you can be arrested immediately and sentenced to long term I will not put you in prison".
Since August of 2005 the former deputy Prime-Minister served his sentenced in Ovadan-depe, special jail for prisoners of Turkmenbashi.
The body of Saparov was delivered to relatives in zincous coffin and it was strictly prohibited to open it. Nonetheless, they opened the coffin for ablution. The witnesses affirm that it looked like Saparov perished of inanition. He was 62.