Turkmen Authorities Plan Prison Amnesty

The next in a regular series of prison amnesties in Turkmenistan is to take place on December 8, timed to coincide with the Muslim festival of Eid al Adha, known locally as Kurban Bairam.



NBCentralAsia observers in Turkmenistan say the list of people to be released has already been drawn up. In this round, it seems that those convicted of consuming or possessing drugs will not be included.



Human rights defenders and activists say the amnesty is unlikely to extend to political prisoners and dissidents imprisoned under the rule of the late president Saparmurat Niazov. However, they say, it is possible that Valery Pal, an activist from the port city of Turkmenbashi who was jailed on fabricated charges in February this year will be released.



“On the eve of the [December 14] parliamentary election, Berdymuhammedov may carry out this act of mercy to signal to the [international} community that he is pursuing democratic changes,” said one human rights activist.