OSCE media freedom representative concerned over jailing of Turkmenistan journalists

VIENNA, 28 August 2006 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, today criticised the sentencing of journalists in Turkmenistan and condemned the lack of transparency in the handling of the cases.

"Turkmenistan did not allow observers to monitor this case. The international community is right to worry that the defendants are in trouble because of their journalistic and human rights activities," Mr. Haraszti said.

Annakurban Amanklychev, an assistant to Galaxie-Press and France 2 reporters, and Ogulsapar Muradova, a reporter for Radio Free Europe, were detained in Ashgabad in June, and held without any official charges being announced. Government sources informed Mr. Haraszti that Mr. Amanklychev was apprehended during "illegal collection of information in order to encourage public dissatisfaction" and for "transmitting materials to foreign citizens."

However, on 25 August, family members and international non-governmental organizations reported that the two were sentenced to seven and six years imprisonment respectively at a closed trial in Ashgabad.

Reportedly, the charges which led to the sentencing were connected to alleged illegal possession of ammunition. A third defendant, human rights activist Sapardurdy Khadzhiev, was also sentenced.

OSCE observers and family members were denied access to the trial and, in contravention of Turkmen laws, the bill of indictment was not delivered in advance to the defence lawyers. Reportedly, the accused denied the charges and will appeal the verdict.

Mr. Haraszti had earlier asked the Turkmen authorities for information regarding the case and had received an explanation stating that Amanklychev and Muradova were "involved in criminal activities related to organization of subversive acts and collection of defamatory information in Turkmenistan in order to create public dissatisfaction." In response, Mr. Haraszti had sent a letter to the Turkmen Foreign Minister, reminding him of the OSCE commitment to assist journalists to report on matters of public interest.

"OSCE commitments oblige participating States to help journalists to collect and disseminate information regarding matters of public interest. The appeal is an opportunity for the authorities to send a signal to the journalist community that fulfilling their professional duties is considered a welcome activity", said Mr. Haraszti.