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Organizers of plot against Niyazov declared traitors to Fatherland
The People's Council of Turkmenistan has declared the three organizers of the attempted murder of Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov, which occurred on November 25, as "traitors to the Fatherland." Former Foreign Minister Boris Shikhmuradov, Central Bank chief Khudaiberdy Orazov, and ambassador to Turkey Nurmukhamed Khanamov "betrayed the great aspirations of our state, making an encroachment on the holy life of Saparmurat Turkmenbashi the Great," reads the parliamentary decree, which was published in Turkmen newspapers on Thursday.
More proof they grow really good hash in Turkmenistan.
The three men have been convicted of "committing crimes against the state, attempted murder of the president of Turkmenistan, participating in a plot aimed at seizing power, and undermining the public security of the state." They were sentenced to 25 years in jail. The People's Council has approved their sentences. Orazov and Khanamov have been sentenced in their absence because they are currently outside Turkmenistan. However, after they were recognized as "traitors," the People's Council decided "to jail them for life as a special punishment."
Might as well since they ain't going home soon.
In case other suspects in this "terrorist act" are found guilty, the People's Council has authorized the Supreme Court to "declare them traitors to the Fatherland and jail them for life as a special punishment."
"You're guilty, he's guilty, they're all guilty!"
Another three participants in the plot, Guvanch Dzhumayev, Annadurdy Annasakhatov, and Nurmukhamed Orazgelgyyev, have been declared "traitors of the Fatherland," and sentenced to life in jail, sources in Ashgabat reported.
Seems to be a popular sentence
All in all, 61 people have been arrested in the "November 25 case." Thirty-two of them have been tried, 20 will be sentenced, and 12 will be sent to live in the desert.
Nice touch, that "live in the desert" part. Very medieval.
Sixteen of the suspected participants are foreign citizens, including five people from Russia and six from Turkey. It is planned that all foreigners will be extradited to their respective countries.
Trying to avoid any diplomatic problems, are we?
On November 25, 2002, a car carrying Saparmurat Niyazov came under fire in central Ashgabat. Several people were wounded in that attack, including a traffic police officer. Niyazov himself was unharmed.
Since it is widely known in Turkmenistan that Niyazov uses a armored limo, why did the attackers try shooting him up with automatic weapons instead of a RPG? Can you say "phoney"? I knew you could.
Posted by: Steve 2003-01-16
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=9311