The UN Working group on arbitrary detention has recognized that, by detaining lawyer Pygamberdy Allaberdiyev, the government of Turkmenistan violated international human rights law.
The decision was made at the 93rd session of the Working group. The petition was filed by the human rights organization “Freedom Now” and lawyers of Vinson & Elkins.
According to Freedom Now, the Working group concluded that ‘the real reason for Allaberdiyev’s detention and arrest was his peaceful exercise of freedom of speech and freedom of association, as evidenced by the fabricated circumstances of his arrest and trial, as well as the very severe punishment imposed by the court’.
Allaberdiyev was arrested ahead of a pro-democracy rally organized by him on September 14, 2020.
Allaberdiyev worked as a lawyer for the department “Nebitdagneft” [Nebitdag Oil] under the Ministry of Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan. He openly criticized the government’s proposed amendments to the country’s Constitution.
The Turkmen Helsinki Foundation and the Moscow Human Rights Center “Memorial” reported that Allaberdiyev was arrested for his relations with Turkmen activists from the United States, Northern Cyprus and Turkey. These foreign activists held protests against amendments to the Constitution of Turkmenistan.
Allaberdiyev was convicted on September 29, 2020 and sentenced to 6 years in prison for hooliganism. The court session was held behind closed doors. Allaberdiyev was denied protection; his lawyer refused to participate in the case after pressure from the authorities. Since the moment of his conviction, Allaberdiyev has been held without contact with the outside world and members of his family.
