Statement on the Imprisonment of Environmental Activist Andrei Zatoka

U.S. Embassy Ashgabat
November 4, 2009

On October 29, 2009, environmental activist Andrei Zatoka was convicted by a trial court of inflicting medium-grade injuries during an altercation and was sentenced to five years imprisonment.

We are actively following the situation surrounding Mr. Zatoka’s conviction.  Embassy officials have met several involved parties and have raised the topic with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.  In recent days, we have expressed our concern about this case and urged the Turkmen authorities to provide Mr. Zatoka access to fair legal proceedings, consistent with Turkmen law.  We will continue to make the same request during the appeals process.