Turkmanistan's Dictator Died

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urkmenistan's president, Saparmurat Niyazov, has died aged 66.

The president-for-life had been the leader of the oil-rich country for 20 years and had been taking medication for a heart condition.

Born in the central Asian country on February 19th 1940, he lost his father to world war two and the rest of his family in an earthquake in 1948. Raised in an orphanage, he joined the communist party in 1962 and was elected as party chief in 1985.

When Turkmenistan gained independence from Soviet rule in 1991, he became the first president of the republic and in 1999 was made president for life.

His presidency has been closely watched international human rights organisations who most recently have demanded the release of environmental activist Andrei Zatoka, claiming he is at risk of torture.

Amnesty International said that a clampdown in the country has "led to many civil society activists, political dissidents, members of religious minority groups and their families being arbitrarily detained, tortured or ill-treated and imprisoned after unfair trials".

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Turkmenistan's ruler dies after 21 years in power

Turkmenistan's President Saparmourat Niazov has died, at the age of 66, after 21 years in power. The country's state television reported he passed away after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest. A month ago, the President admitted taking medication for a heart condition. Niazov had ruled the central Asian nation, the second largest natural gas producer in the former Soviet Union, since 1985.

He was elected president when Turkmenistan gained independence from Moscow in 1991. Eight years later, he was made president-for-life. During his reign, Niazov allowed no political opposition or free media. He used an alleged assassination attempt in 2002 to crush opponents. n fact, analysts say Niazov's death may give rise to a period of political instability, as he left no clear successors.

They say he does leave behind him an underdeveloped economy. He used public funds for showy schemes rather than education and health care.Even so, Russian officials have said they hope his successor will continue the policies of the self-named "Father of the Turkmen".

Russia received two-thirds of the country's natural gas exports. During his reign, Niazov encouraged a personality cult. He commissioned statues and paintings of himself. His name was given to farms, a port and even a meteorite. Whoever succeeds Niazov, one thing is certain. With its vast gas wealth, many countries will be lobbying for influence with Turkmenistan's government.

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Turkmenistan's president dies of cardiac arrest
12/21/2006 3:36:00 PM

Turkmenistan's president Saparmurat Niyazov died of cardiac arrest. Television runs still images the national flag in a black-bordered frame.

After the news about Turkmenistan's president Saparmurat Niyazov's death was confirmed by state television, the government started organizing the funerals of the president-for-life. A special commission is in charge of Niyazov's funeral organizing. The commission is headed by Turkmenistan's Vice-President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.

Niyazov was 66, he was in power of Turkmenistan for more than twenty years.

Saparmurat Niyazov was born in Ashgabad in 1940. He became the head of Sovmin of Turkmenistan SSR in 1985, headed the central committee of Turkmenistan's Communist Party in December 1985. He was the chairman of the Supreme Council of Turkmenistan SSR between January and November 1990.

Niyazov was elected Turkmenistan's president in 1990. After the Constitution was passed on June, 21, 1992, he received 99.5% of votes and proved to be the only candidate to occupy the high position.

Niyazov was conferred with the title Turkmenbashi (Head of the Turkmen) the Great.

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Dark Shadows in Turkmenistan's Eternal Sunshine

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khoda rahmatesh kone!!!