Nepeskuliev has the right to freedom of expression to show these images, whether it’s through Radio Liberty, ATN, or any other outlet. By throwing him in jail, the government is violating this right.

Authorities in Turkmenistan should release Saparmamed Nepeskuliyev, a freelance journalist who has been in police custody since July 7 on bogus charges, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Nepeskuliev’s family were told that Nepeskuliev was arrested for possession of pills «containing narcotic substances» and that «he will soon be tried and imprisoned». The family attempted to see him in Akdash prison, but were denied a visit. ATN fears that Nepeskuliev could have been tortured. Furthermore, he does not have a lawyer to represent him.

Leaked email exchanges indicate Hacking Team gave permission for its spyware to be ‘presented and promoted’ to the secret police of Turkmenistan.

The petition was also sent to a number of UN Special Rapporteurs, including on those working on torture, on the situation of human rights defenders, on minority issues, and on the independence of judges and lawyers.

In his formal letter of resignation, Osmankuly Hallyev, who has worked for RFE/RL’s Turkmen service as a freelance correspondent since 2006, recounted a series of incidents in the last month when he was interrogated by officials with the country’s anti-terrorism team, pressed to reveal his sources, and publicly denounced by local authorities and community leaders.

Berdymukhamedov, who has run the country since 2006 and is accused of presiding over one of the most pervasive personality cults in the world, is widely known as Arkadag, or the patron.

The most recent series of raids on Turkmenabad’s Jehovah’s Witnesses began on 6 February, when police or the MSS secret police arrested Viktor Yarygin, Rustam Nazarov, Charygeldy Jumaev and Jamilya Adylova. Three of them – Nazarov, Jumaev and Adylova — were beaten by MSS secret police officer Veliyev, Jehovah’s Witnesses told Forum 18. «Jumaev was beaten so severely that he lost consciousness three times during the beating.»

Heinz Fischer should not miss this chance to urge Turkmenistan’s president to clarify the fate and whereabouts of dozens of people arrested in the early 2000’s who have been forcibly disappeared in Turkmenistan’s prison system.