Farid Tukhbatullin, Turkmen Civil Society Activist, Arrested by Security Services

International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

December 24, 2002.
Fahrid Tukhbatullin, an activist associated with the Dashogus Ecological Club in Turkmenistan, has been arrested on December 23 by security agents and transferred to Ashgabat, where he may face torture.

According to information received by the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF), Tukhbatullin is accused of participating in a meeting organized by the IHF and Memorial in November where human rights activists discussed the current human rights situation in Turkmenistan.

"Farid Tukhbatullin has broken no laws, nor engaged in any activity that can be considered political or treasonous," according to Aaron Rhodes, IHF Executive Director. "His interests are in promoting civil society and human rights in a peaceful, legal manner, and his arrest is totally unjustified."

The IHF is appealing to the OSCE and to the Turkmen authorities to release Tukhbatullin and others who have been unjustly detained in an ongoing wave of arbitrary arrests.

The IHF has attempted to make direct contacts to authorities of Turkmenistan to plead for his release.

For more information:
Dr. Aaron Rhodes, IHF Executive Director + 43-676-635-6612.