Central Asia

President Paints New Picture of Turkmenistan

Turkmenbashi takes down a number of official portraits after international community criticises his personality cult.

21 Feb 05

The opposition Erk party says harassment of activists is increasing as election approaches.

21 Feb 05

Uzbek and Kyrgyz security services caught spying on worshippers at a mosque in Kyrgyzstan.

21 Feb 05

Decision to close schools is a major setback for non-ethnic Turkmens.

21 Feb 05

State television threatens to sue Radio Liberty, claiming it libelled one of its journalists.

21 Feb 05

Computerised voting will make Kazak elections slicker – but will it make them any fairer?

21 Feb 05

Parliamentary report damns secret police as “state within a state” after detailing surveillance and subversion.

21 Feb 05

The cult of personality surrounding Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov resembles Soviet-era worship of Lenin and Stalin.

21 Feb 05

The Kremlin is warning Central Asian states that only Russia can be relied upon to protect them from Islamic radicalism.

21 Feb 05

Teenage prostitution in Kyrgyzstan is causing the authorities increasing concern.

21 Feb 05

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