Turkmenistan Activist: New Charges & Imprisonment
- Turkmenistan authorities have filed new charges against Murad Dushemov, an activist already imprisoned, according to Human Rights Watch.
- Dushemov was initially jailed in 2021 after what was called an arbitrary prosecution for criticizing the government.
- "Dushemov has already suffered a terrible miscarriage of justice for his peaceful activism," said Rachel Denber,deputy europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
Imprisoned Turkmen activist Murad Dushemov now faces new charges, dashing hopes of his imminent release. This is happening after he was already scheduled for a June release, according to reports. Human Rights Watch is vehemently demanding his immediate freedom, citing the potential for politically motivated persecution. The primary_keyword here is “Murad Dushemov”, and the secondary_keyword is “human rights”. the authorities in Turkmenistan, known for suppressing dissent, are under scrutiny for these new allegations. Dushemov’s case highlights the continuing challenges to freedom of expression and the rule of law in the country. News Directory 3 has the latest updates on this developing story. Discover what’s next for the imprisoned activist and international efforts to secure his release.
Turkmenistan activist faces new charges before release
Updated June 25, 2025
Turkmenistan authorities have filed new charges against Murad Dushemov, an activist already imprisoned, according to Human Rights Watch. Dushemov was expected to be released earlier in June. The organization is calling for his immediate and unconditional release, urging officials to drop what it describes as abusive efforts to prolong his detention.
Dushemov was initially jailed in 2021 after what was called an arbitrary prosecution for criticizing the government. He was scheduled to be released on June 14, 2025.However, on June 10, he was moved from a prison colony in Seydi to a pretrial detention facility in Turkmenabat.
“Dushemov has already suffered a terrible miscarriage of justice for his peaceful activism,” said Rachel Denber,deputy europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Turkmen authorities should immediately release him and not subject him to another bogus prosecution and unfair trial.”
Turkmenistan has a history of suppressing dissent and unlawfully imprisoning individuals for exercising free speech. Those imprisoned on politically motivated charges often face dire prison conditions, ill-treatment, and torture. Enforced disappearances remain a serious concern.
In 2021, Dushemov released videos critical of the Turkmen government’s policies, especially its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He challenged the official narrative that the virus was not present in the country and demanded access to accurate information.
On June 18, Turkmen.news reported that Dushemov’s whereabouts were unknown and that he might face new charges based on an allegation by another prisoner that Dushemov had broken his arm.
Human Rights Watch suggests the timing and source of the new charges indicate fabrication, a tactic reportedly used by Turkmen authorities to extend sentences.
Turkmen.news reported on June 21 that the head of Abdy Shukur prison confirmed Dushemov was being held there and would face a new trial in about 10 days, stemming from an alleged “fight with cellmates.” The prison chief said a state-appointed lawyer was assigned to the case but refused to provide contact information or visitation.
The Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR) reported that a lawyer told Dushemov’s relatives his trial would occur soon, but had no information on the charges or hearing date. TIHR also corroborated reports that another inmate falsely claimed Dushemov assaulted him shortly before his sentence was to end.
In June 2021, Dushemov was fined for alleged profanity in public after publishing a video requesting COVID-19 information. In July 2021, he was sentenced to 15 days’ arrest for “petty hooliganism” after blocking a road during a dispute at a checkpoint where officers demanded a negative COVID-19 certificate without legal basis.
After his detention ended in July 2021, authorities initiated a criminal investigation, and Dushemov was sentenced to four years in prison on charges of extortion and bodily harm, stemming from a manufactured fight and an alleged complaint by a doctor. Dushemov denied all charges.
Other cases of alleged political persecution in Turkmenistan include Mansur Mingelov, imprisoned in 2012, and Nurgeldy Khalykov, barred from leaving Turkmenistan in January 2025 after completing a prison term on fabricated charges.
The UN Human Rights Committee has expressed concern over the persecution of civil society representatives in Turkmenistan and called for the release of Dushemov and Mingelov.
In May 2023, Dushemov and other prisoners wrote to the UN office in Turkmenistan, stating their cases were fabricated and requesting visits from UN representatives.
Human Rights Watch urges Turkmenistan’s international partners to pressure the country to end Dushemov’s detention and stop persecuting people for peaceful activism.
“Turkmenistan should free Dushemov and stop using the justice system to punish peaceful dissent,” said Denber. “We are witnessing yet again that rather than rectify an injustice,the government is doubling down on its wholesale disregard for rights and the rule of law,and other governments should not ignore it.”
What’s next
international bodies are expected to increase pressure on Turkmenistan to address its human rights record and release wrongfully imprisoned activists like Murad Dushemov.