Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow

Gurbanguly Mälikgulyýewiç Berdimuhamedow[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3][12] (born 29 June 1957), also known as Arkadag (Cyrillic: Аркадаг, "protector"), is a Turkmen politician who served as the second president of Turkmenistan from 2006 to 2022.

In this name that follows Eastern Slavic naming conventions, the patronymic is Mälikgulyýewiç and the family name is Berdimuhamedow.

Arkadag
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow
Berdimuhamedow in 2017
2nd President of Turkmenistan
In office
14 February 2007 – 19 March 2022
Acting: 21 December 2006 – 14 February 2007
Vice PresidentRaşit Meredow
Preceded bySaparmurat Niyazov
Succeeded bySerdar Berdimuhamedow
Leader of the Democratic Party
In office
4 August 2007 – 18 August 2013
Acting: 21 December 2006 – 4 August 2007
Preceded bySaparmurat Niyazov
Succeeded byKasymguly Babaev
3rd Vice President of Turkmenistan
In office
1 March 2001 – 14 February 2007
PresidentSaparmurat Niyazov
Himself (acting)
Preceded byOrazgeldi Aydogdiyev
Succeeded byRaşit Meredow
Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan
Incumbent
Assumed office
14 April 2021
Personal details
Born (1957-06-29) 29 June 1957
Babarap, Turkmen SSR, Soviet Union
NationalityTurkmen
Political partyIndependent (2013–present)
Other political
affiliations		TDP (before 2013)
SpouseOgulgerek Berdimuhamedova
Children4, including Serdar
Parent(s)Malikguly Berdimuhamedov
Ogulabat Kurrayeva
Alma materTurkmen State Medical Institute
ProfessionDentist
Military service
Allegiance Turkmenistan
Branch/service Turkmen Ground Forces
RankGeneral of the Army (since 2007)[1]

A dentist by profession, Berdimuhamedow served in the government of president Saparmurat Niyazov as the minister of health in 1997 and as the vice president in 2001. He became acting president following Niyazov's death on 21 December 2006 and subsequently won the 2007 presidential election. He faced no meaningful opposition and won by an overwhelming margin with 89% of the vote.[13] In 2012, he was re-elected for a second term with 97% of the vote and he was re-elected again in 2017 with 97.7% of the vote.[14][15] He was among the candidates elected to the People's Council of Turkmenistan (Turkmen: Halk Maslahaty) on 28 March 2021, as a member from Ahal Region.[16] He reportedly received 100% of votes from the electors.[17] On 14 April 2021, he was unanimously elected chairman of the People's Council, the upper chamber of the Turkmen parliament.[18][19]

Like his predecessor, Berdimuhamedow headed an authoritarian regime in which he was the subject of a cult of personality. Rights groups have described Turkmenistan under Berdimuhamedow as one of the most repressive countries in the world,[20] accusing Berdimuhamedow, his relatives, and his associates of possessing and exercising unlimited power over all aspects of public life.[21][22]

Berdimuhamedow stepped down as president on 19 March 2022, being succeeded by his son, Serdar, who won a snap election deemed as neither free nor fair.[23]

Early years

Berdimuhamedow was born on 29 June 1957 in Babarap, in what is now Gökdepe District, Ahal Province, to Malikguly Berdimuhamedovich Berdimuhamedov (1932–2021)[24] and Ogulabat Atayevna Kurrayeva.[25] He is the only son in a family of six children. Berdimuhamedow’s father worked as a senior Interior Ministry officer in a prison guard detachment. He retired as a colonel of police.[26] His grandfather, Berdimuhamet Annayev, was a local teacher who served in the Red Army during World War II as part of the 748th Rifle Regiment of the 206th Rifle Division of the 2nd Ukrainian Front.[27] In September 1943, his unit was one of the first to cross the Dnieper River.[28] He was later killed in the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake.[29]

Professional career

Berdimuhamedow graduated from the Turkmen State Medical Institute in 1979 and entered a career in dentistry.[30] He also received a PhD in medical sciences in Moscow.[30] By 1992 he had become part of the dentistry faculty at the Medical Institute. In 1995, during the rule of Saparmurat Niyazov, he became head of the dentistry center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry.[31]

Political rise
Berdimuhamedow with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Ashgabat Airport, April 2002

He was appointed to the government as Minister of Health in 1997, and he was additionally appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers (also referred to as Deputy Prime Minister, despite the lack of a Prime Ministerial post in Turkmenistan), a post akin to that of a Vice-President, in 2001.[32][33] In April 2004, Niyazov suspended Berdimuhamedow's salary for three months because healthcare workers were not being paid.[31]

The Health Ministry was responsible for carrying out Niyazov's order to close all hospitals outside of the national and provincial capitals in 2005.[34]

President of Turkmenistan (2006–2022)

Following Niyazov's death in December 2006, the State Security Council of Turkmenistan appointed Berdimuhamedow acting president.[35] The Council stated in its announcement that Öwezgeldi Ataýew, who, as the Chairman of the Assembly of Turkmenistan was to have become the acting president, was not appointed "in view of the fact that the prosecutor-general had instituted criminal proceedings against him".[36]

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and Vladimir Putin in Tehran, 2007

Article 60 of the Turkmen Constitution stipulated that the acting president "may not stand for election to the Presidency",[37] which would have barred Berdimuhamedow from running in the 2007 presidential elections. However, on 24 December 2006, the People's Council voted to remove this provision, making him eligible for the election as one of the six chosen candidates, all members of the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan.[38] Berdimuhamedov was supported by the political elite,[39] and the official results showed him as winning 89% of the vote.[13][40] Berdimuhamedow's appointment as interim president and subsequent run for president, however, violated the constitution.[41]

In his first presidential trip abroad, Berdimuhamedov visited Saudi Arabia in mid-April 2007. There he performed the Umrah pilgrimage and met with King Abdullah.[42] He then visited Russia and President Vladimir Putin at the end of the same month.

After taking office, Berdimuhamedow reversed several of Niyazov's more eccentric policies. Internet cafés offering free and uncensored web access opened in Ashgabat,[43] compulsory education was extended from nine to ten years and classes in sports and foreign languages were re-introduced into the curriculum, and the government announced plans to open several specialised schools for the arts.[44] He called for reform of education, health care and pension systems, and government officials of non-Turkmen ethnic origin who had been sacked by Niyazov were allowed to return to work.[45] He also restored the pensions of 100,000 elderly people whose pensions Niyazov had slashed in the face of an unspecified budget crisis.[46] Later on, he reopened the Turkmen Academy of Sciences, which had been closed by Niyazov.[47]

With President Dmitry Medvedev and President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, September 2009

In 2015, work on TAPI began under his government.[48][49]

In February 2017, he was reelected to a third term as President of Turkmenistan (seven-year term) with nearly 98% of the votes in his favor and with an eligible voter turnout of 97%.[50][51] In October 2017, he offered a top Turkmen-bred variety of the Central Asian shepherd dog to Vladimir Putin.[52]

He is president of the National Olympic Committee of Turkmenistan.[53]

In 2020, Berdimuhamedow presided over the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkmenistan. He was among eight world leaders to have received the Ig Nobel Prize in Medical Education "for using the COVID-19 viral pandemic to teach the world that politicians can have a more immediate effect on life and death than scientists and doctors can".[54] In November of the same year, he unveiled a golden statue of his favourite dog breed, the Central Asian shepherd.[55]

Informal meeting of the CIS heads of state in May 2012

Berdimuhamedow replaced the Interior Minister Mammetkhan Chakiyev with his deputy Ovezdurdy Khojaniyazov on 1 July 2021. Khojaniyazov has little public profile to speak of, but one of his most recent positions, as of May at least, was as deputy head of the Awaza tourist recreation zone.[56] The previous Interior Minister, Iskender Mulikov, was arrested, sentenced to a lengthy prison term on corruption charges, and shown on state television handcuffed in a prison robe with his head shaved.[57]

In July 2021, Berdimuhamedow ordered the deployment of troops and heavy weapons and armour on the Afghanistan–Turkmenistan border, in order to avoid a spillover of the Afghan conflict into Turkmenistan.[58][59]

In February 2022, it was reported from Reuters that Berdimuhamedow was planning to resign after an early presidential election on 12 March,[60] fuelling speculation that he would be preparing for his son Serdar to succeed him as the next President.[61] Berdimuhamedow did not contest the election, which was subsequently won by Serdar,[62] establishing Turkmenistan as the first Central Asian country to transfer power dynastically from father to son.[63] Serdar was inaugurated as the next President on 19 March.[64]

Post-presidency and chair of the upper house
Berdimuhamedow and Putin on 29 June 2022

Criticism

Accusations of totalitarianism
External video
Turkmenistan's president announces end of free gas, electricity, water, and salt
Turkmen president visits local village
Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei receives Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow in his house, 2015

Upon taking office, Berdimuhamedow eased travel restrictions and reopened libraries in rural areas. He also took steps to curb Niyazov's extensive personality cult. He called for an end to the elaborate pageants of music and dancing that formerly greeted the president on his arrival anywhere, and said that the Turkmen "sacred oath", part of which states that the speaker's tongue should shrivel if he ever speaks ill of Turkmenistan or its president, should not be recited multiple times a day but reserved for "special occasions".[65] He also gave up his right to rename any landmarks, institutions, or cities,[66] restored the traditional names of the months of the year and days of the week (Niyazov had renamed them after himself and his mother, among other things),[67] and announced plans to move the gold rotating statue of Niyazov from Ashgabat's central square.[68]

Vladimir Putin and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow in 2017

Despite these changes, Berdimuhamedow's regime remained rigidly authoritarian; indeed, in 2007, he ruled out any move toward Western-style democracy.[69] Freedom House rated Berdimuhamedow's Turkmenistan as one of the most repressive and "closed" regimes in the world. It has ranked Turkmenistan near the bottom of its Freedom in the World rankings since the country's independence, a state of affairs that has continued since Berdimuhamedow took office. In 2017, the country was one of 11 with the lowest aggregate scores for political and civil rights.[70] Human Rights Watch noted that Berdimuhamedow not only has complete control over public life and the media, but presides over a regime that does not tolerate "alternative political or religious expression."[71] Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has ranked Turkmenistan near the bottom of its Press Freedom Index for most of Berdimuhamedow's tenure, as it did under Niyazov. In 2017, RWB ranked Turkmenistan 178th out of 180 countries surveyed, ahead of Eritrea and North Korea. RSF noted that internet access is heavily censored in Turkmenistan, and that satellite dishes have been removed by government officials.[72]

In 2008, he dismissed Akmyrat Rejepow, the longtime chief of the presidential security detail and one of the main proponents of Niyazov's personality cult.[73] In 2011, he sang a song on a video posted to YouTube.[74]

In May 2013, he fell off his horse during a race. The fall was censored on TV but leaked online,[75] and mocked on an episode of HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver in 2019.[76]

In July 2013, Jennifer Lopez publicly apologized for singing Happy birthday! to Berdimuhamedow during a sponsored concert, stating she was not aware of the human rights issues in Turkmenistan prior to the show.[77] In August 2013, Berdimuhamedow suspended his Democratic Party of Turkmenistan membership for the duration of his presidency, ostensibly to remain "above partisan politics" and "promote a multiparty system."[78]

Berdimuhamedow with Ilham Aliyev at the 18th Summit of Non-Aligned Movement in Baкu, 2019

In 2015, a golden statue of Berdimuhamedow riding a horse atop a white-marble cliff was erected in Ashgabat.[79][80]

The Turkmenistan Parliament abolished term limits for the presidency in September 2016, which allowed Berdimuhamedow to run for a third term.[81]

In January 2018, Berdimuhamedow ordered the impounding of black cars in the capital because he considered the color white to be "lucky". Police seized dark-colored vehicles in Ashgabat and their owners were told they must pay to have them repainted silver or white. The capital, known as the 'City of White Marble', holds the world record for the highest concentration of white-marble buildings. Berdimuhamedow is a known lover of the color white, living in a white palace and travelling in white limousines.[82] It was later reported that the ban extended to vehicles of all colors except white.[83]

In July 2018, he appeared in a rap video with his grandson. He had previously lifted weights on camera, and also acted as DJ.[84]

By decree of Berdimuhamedow in January 2019, the government will gradually end state funding of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan; it will be phased out in three years.[85]

Violation of individual rights

In 2010 the Obozrevatel magazine named Berdimuhamedow the fifth-worst dictator in the world out of 23 highlighted. In the Press Freedom Index (Reporters Without Borders), Turkmenistan ranks 176 out of 178.[86]

Turkmenistan has more political prisoners than any of the former countries of the former Soviet Union.[87]

Corruption
Presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan at the reception ceremony at the airport named after Islam Karimov, 2021

The country's economy is under total state control. Numerous attempts to attract foreign investors into the country often end in lawsuits in international courts. In 2018, the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (arbitration, part of the World Bank group of organizations) received claims against Turkmenistan from Sece Inşaat (Turkey) and investment company Unionmatex Industrieanlagen GmbH (Germany).

In 2019, the Belarusian construction company Belgorkhimprom also filed a similar claim with the court, to which Turkmenistan should pay about $200 million.[88][89]

Investors talk about discrimination by the Turkmen authorities, politicized bureaucracy, and a high level of corruption.[90]

In the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, Turkmenistan ranked 161 among 180 countries in 2018. This is the lowest rating among countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.[91][92]

In 2019, Turkmenistan ranked 164th among 180 countries in the ranking of economic freedom.[93]

Cult of personality

He uses the honorific title Arkadag, translating to "protector" in the Turkmen language.[94]

Berdimuhamedow's grandfather and father both serve as part of his cult of personality. His grandfather, Berdimuhamed Annayev, has since 2018 been a posthumous recipient of the Russian Order of Honour, being one of two awards he holds (the other being the Soviet Order of the Badge of Honour).[95] The Berdimuhamed Annayev 1st Specialized Military School of the Ministry of Defence is named in his honour. A museum in the defence ministry is also named after him. In May 2020, a special delegation from Russia led by Deputy Minister of Defence Alexander Fomin[96] brought the banner of Annayev's unit to Ashgabat,[97][98] being trooped through the square in front of the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex during the inaugural Victory Day Parade in the capital.

On 1 September 2009, Secondary School No. 27 was renamed after Berdimuhamed Annaev and was opened with his son at the opening ceremony.[99] In October 2012, the Main Drama Theater of Turkmenistan staged a play based on Berdimuhamedov's book about his grandfather called "Good Name Imperishable".[100] Military Unit 1001 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is named in honor of Berdimuhamedow's father,[101] Malikguly Berdimuhamedow. In addition, in the town of Yzgant, the Palace of Culture is named after Berdimuhamedow's father, and a bust of him stands in front of it.[102]

Honours
A specially handcrafted horse saddle given to him as a gift from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2015.

Domestic awards
  • 1994 – Star of President Order
  • 2016 – Medal «Türkmenistanyň Garaşsyzlygynyň 25 ýyllygyna» (25 Years of Turkmenistan's Independence)[103]
  • 2019 – «Hormatly il ýaşulusy» (Honorary Elder of the State)[104]
  • 2021 – «Türkmenistanyň ussat halypa seýsi» (Master Equestrian of Turkmenistan)[105]
  • 2022 – Skillful Diplomat of Turkmenistan[106]

Foreign awards

Personal life

Family

According to a cable from the U.S. embassy in Ashgabat, Berdimuhamedow is married and has three daughters and one son. One of his sons-in-law, Yhlasgeldi Amanov, headed the Turkmen State Agency for Management and Use of Hydrocarbon Resources in London, was later assigned to the Turkmenistan Embassies in Berlin and London, and as of 23 November 2019 was Turkmenistan's consul general in Dubai.[127] The other son-in-law is also a diplomat, with a prior posting in Paris, but later assigned to Brussels.[26]

According to the same leaked cables, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow has a mistress, Marina, a Russian nurse, whom he supposedly met earlier in his dentist career. They have a daughter together. Berdimuhamedow's wife has been living in London since 2007.[26] His son, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, served as a colonel in the Armed Forces and held a series of high government posts, culminating in appointment as a deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers.[128][129][130][131] At least three of Berdimuhamedow's grandchildren study in Switzerland: Kerimguly, Ogulbäbek, and Aýgül.[132] According to a biography of Berdimuhamedow's father, Malikguly, published in 2012, Berdimuhamedow has five sisters: Durdynabat (born 1960), Gulnabat (born 1962), Mähri (born 1964), Guljamal (born 1969), and Oguljamal (born 1974).[25]

On 18 April 2021, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow's father, Malikguly Berdimuhamedow, reportedly died at the age of 89.[133][134]

Hobbies

During his spare time from being President, from his dentistry career and from his political career, he writes books that are popular in Turkmenistan according to Turkmen propaganda.[135][136][137][138] Aside from writing books, he is known for writing songs, DJing and engaging in health activities.[139][140]

In 2019, Berdimuhamedow was awarded the highest award of the International Cycling Union (UCI) for his country’s commitment to the sport.[141]

Health

On 20 July 2019, the YouTube channel of a Turkmen opposition media outlet announced that Berdimuhamedow had reportedly died while on holiday at the age of 61. He was said to have been on leave since 15 July. These reports were published by multiple Russian media outlets on the next day.[142][143] The Turkmen Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Shadurdy Mereov, and the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied these claims on 21 July. According to Chronicle of Turkmenistan, Berdimuhamedow went to Germany because his mother was receiving medical treatment there, and her condition was critical.[144]

See also
  • Politics of Turkmenistan

Notes
  1. Turkmen Cyrillic: Гурбангулы Мәликгулиевич Бердимухамедов, Turkmen pronunciation: [ɢʊɾbɑnʁʊˈlɯ mælɪk'ɢʊlɯjɛβɪtʃ bɛɾdɯmʊxɑmɛˈdoβ]; Russian: Гурбангулы Мяликгулыевич Бердымухамедов, tr. Gurbanguly Malikgulyyevich Berdymukhamedov
  2. Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, Berdymukhammedov; Although Gurbanguly Mälikgulyýewiç Berdimuhamedow is the only Turkmen form, and Turkmen, written with Latin alphabet, is the only official language of Turkmenistan, Western sources generally use the Russian form "Гурбангулы" or "Курбанкулы Мяликгулыевич Бердымухам(м)едов", using various transcriptions.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
  3. The English version of the website of the presidency uses the spelling Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.[11]

References
  1. "President of Turkmenistan gets military rank of army general | Turkmenistan.ru". www.turkmenistan.ru. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  2. "Turkmen Assembly Discussing Political Future". Rferl.org. 26 December 2006. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  3. "Acting Turkmen President Cleared To Run In February Election". Rferl.org. 27 December 2006. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  4. "Turkmenistan Registers Presidential Candidates". Rferl.org. 28 December 2006. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  5. "Turkmenistan country profile - Overview". BBC News. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  6. "Asia-Pacific | Turkmen 'heir apparent' emerges". BBC News. 28 December 2006. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  7. Than, Krisztina (9 February 2009). "Business & Financial News, Breaking US & International News | Reuters.com". Today.reuters.com. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  8. Greenberg, Ilan (27 December 2006). "Turkmenistan Limits Election to Soviet-Style Slate". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  9. Chivers, C. J. (30 December 2006). "Turkmen Exile Urges Interim President to Step Down". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  10. "Turkmenistan's interim leader crowned as heir apparent to late dictator". SignOnSanDiego.com. 26 December 2006. Archived from the original on 1 February 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  11. "Turkmenistan: The Golden Age". Archived from the original on 17 April 2009.
  12. "Turkmenistan: New President Shows Shades Of 'Turkmenbashi'". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 3 July 2007. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2007.
  13. "New Turkmen President Sworn In". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 14 February 2007. Archived from the original on 15 October 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2007.
  14. Turkmen President Extends Rule In Tightly Controlled Vote Archived 19 September 2020 at the Wayback Machine Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (rferl.org). 13 February 2017. Retrieved on 24 February 2017.
  15. "Turkmen president sworn in for second term". xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  16. "Список избранных членов Халк Маслахаты Милли Генгеша Туркменистана" (in Russian). Central commission for holding elections and referendums in Turkmenistan. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  17. "Turkmenistan's Authoritarian Leader Wins Senate Seat With '100 Percent' Of Vote". RFE/RL. 29 March 2021. Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  18. "Президент Туркменистана избран председателем новой палаты парламента" (in Russian). «Туркменистан: золотой век». 14 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  19. "Бердымухамедов избран главой Халк Маслахаты Милли Генгеша" (in Russian). SNG Today. 14 April 2021. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  20. "Cult of personality: Turkmen leader gets park tribute on birthday". Reuters. 29 June 2015.
  21. World Report 2014: Turkmenistan. Hrw.org. 2 January 2014. Archived from the original on 26 January 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  22. "Turkmenistan: Events of 2019". World Report 2020: Turkmenistan. Hrw.org. 10 December 2019. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  23. "Turkmenistan holds inauguration of new president (UPDATE)". Trend News Agency. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  24. "Скончался отец президента Туркменистана Мяликгулы Бердымухамедов". Tengrinews.kz (in Russian). 19 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  25. Türkmenistanyň Prezidentiniň Arhiw gaznasy (2012). Watanyň Wepaly Ogly. Ashgabat: Türkmen döwlet neşirýat gullugy.
  26. US embassy cables: Turkmenistan president 'not a very bright guy' Archived 19 July 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Theguardian.com, 2 December 2010
  27. "The President of Turkmenistan receives Deputy Defence minister of Russian Federation | TDH". tdh.gov.tm. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  28. "Events of occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory are held with participation of the Head of the State | TDH". tdh.gov.tm. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  29. "News". customs.gov.tm. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  30. Luke Harding (22 February 2008). "And finally... how the march of a lone cockroach put 30 people out of work". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 August 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2008.
  31. "Profile: Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov". bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 February 2007. Retrieved 16 February 2007.
  32. "Turkmenistan: Change Of Leadership Presents Many Dangers" Archived 14 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberties, 22 December 2006.
  33. Press-Uz.info Archived 30 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, 22 December 2006 (in Russian).
  34. "Turkmenistan: President announces large-scale closure of hospitals" Archived 25 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine, Amnesty International, 24 March 2005.
  36. "Turkmen Dpty PM Berdymukhammedov appointed acting president". ITAR-TASS. 21 December 2006.
  37. "Legislationline" (PDF). legislationline.org.
  38. "Asia-Pacific | New Turkmen leader is inaugurated". BBC News. 14 February 2007. Archived from the original on 18 January 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  39. "Acting leader proposed as candidate for Turkmen president". Interfax. 26 December 2006. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007.
  40. Turkmenistan Votes for Presidential Successor, Voanews.com, 11 February 2007
  41. Horák, Slavomír; Šír, Jan (March 2009). Dismantling Totalitarianism? Turkmenistan under Berdimuhamedow (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program. pp. 18–19. ISBN 978-91 85937-17-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  42. "BERDYMUKHAMMEDOV BURNISHES MUSLIM CREDENTIALS ON VISIT TO SAUDI ARABIA". cacianalyst.org. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007.
  43. "A crack in the isolation of Turkmenistan: Internet cafes". USA Today. Associated Press. 16 February 2007. Archived from the original on 27 February 2007. Retrieved 26 April 2007.
  44. "1 апреля в Туркмении откроются школы искусства" (in Russian). Gündogar. 21 February 2007. Archived from the original on 3 April 2007. Retrieved 26 April 2007.
  45. Leila (20 February 2007). "Internet in Turkmenistan: A sign of hope?". New Eurasia. Archived from the original on 16 May 2007. Retrieved 26 April 2007.
  46. "New Turkmen president restores pensions to more than 100,000". International Herald Tribune. 19 March 2007. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008.
  47. "Гундогар :: NEWS". Gundogar.org. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  48. "Turkmenistan starts work on gas link to Afghanistan, Pakistan, India". Reuters. Reuters. 13 December 2015.
  49. Brown, Bess. "Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov". www.britannica.com. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  50. Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov wins poll with 98% of vote Archived 5 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Aljazeera.com, 13 February 2017 "Turkmenistan's ruling leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov bagged a fresh seven-year term with nearly 98 percent of a weakly contested vote, electoral officials following a preliminary count said. The election commission claimed at a news conference on Monday, in the capital Ashgabat, a turnout of more than 97 percent for the poll,"
  51. "Turkmen President Re-elected with 98 Percent of Vote". Voice of America. 13 February 2017. Archived from the original on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2019. The president of Turkmenistan won re-election with nearly 98 percent of the votes, the country’s election commission reported. President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov was elected to a third term which will last for seven years. He was first elected president in 2006. The election results were announced Sunday night by the Central Asian nation’s election commission. The commission said 97 percent of eligible voters turned out to vote.
  52. Tim Lister, Pup-lover Putin gifted new dog for birthday Archived 27 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine, CNN, 12 October 2017
  53. "President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is re-elected the Head of National Olympic Committee". Turkmenistan State News Agency. 22 April 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  54. "Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, and other leaders win Ig Nobel awards for teaching people about life and death". The BMJ. 2020. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  55. "Turkmenistan leader unveils giant gold dog statue". BBC News. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 20 February 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  56. "Президент Туркменистана провел совещание с руководством Центра управления по организации отдыха в НТЗ "Аваза"". tdh.gov.tm. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  57. "Turkmen President Replaces Interior Minister, Deputy Takes Cabinet Seat". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Archived from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  58. "Turkmenistan to Reinforce Military Presence on Border Amid Insecurity in Afghanistan". Caspian News. 8 July 2021. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  59. Lalzoy, Najibullah (12 July 2021). "Turkmenistan deploying troops, heavy weapon on border with Afghanistan". The Khaama Press News Agency. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  60. Gurt, Marat; Auyezov, Olzhas; Donovan, Kirsten (12 February 2022). "Turkmenistan to hold early presidential election on March 12". Reuters. Archived from the original on 12 February 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  61. Putz, Catherine (15 February 2022). "Turkmenistan Set for Dynastic Succession: Early Election March 12, President's Son Running". thediplomat.com. The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  62. "Turkmenistan leader's son wins presidential election". www.aljazeera.com. Al Jazeera English. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  63. Putz, Catherine (16 March 2022). "A New Berdimuhamedov Will Soon Be Turkmenistan's President". thediplomat.com. The Diplomat.
  64. "Turkmenistan: New president, old ideas | Eurasianet". eurasianet.org. Eurasianet. 15 March 2022.
  65. "Turkmenistan moves to reduce cult". MWC News. 10 March 2007. Archived from the original on 13 March 2007. Retrieved 26 April 2007.
  66. "Turkmenistan Restricts Presidential Prerogatives". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Archived from the original on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  67. "Turkmen go back to old calendar". BBC News. 24 April 2008. Archived from the original on 19 April 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  68. "Ex-Turkmen leader's statue moved". BBC News. 3 May 2008. Archived from the original on 31 March 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  69. "Fresh optimism in Turkmenistan". BBC News. 21 December 2007. Archived from the original on 10 June 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  70. "Populists and Autocrats: The Dual Threat to Global Democracy". Freedom House. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  71. "Turkmenistan: Events of 2016". World Report 2017: Turkmenistan. Human Rights Watch. 12 January 2017. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  72. Turkmenistan Archived 6 April 2020 at the Wayback Machine at 2017 Press Freedom Index
  73. "Turkmenistan: New President Sacks Long-Serving Security Chief". EurasiaNet.org. 15 May 2007. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  74. The Talented Mr. Berdymukhammedov Archived 28 September 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Rferl.org, 16 August 2011
  75. Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, Turkmenistan President, Falls Off Horse During Race (VIDEO) Archived 17 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Huffingtonpost.com, 6 December 2017
  76. "Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow". Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Season 06. Episode 20. 11 August 2019. HBO.
  77. Jared Anderson, Jennifer Lopez Apologizes for Celebrating Resource-Rich Dictator Archived 4 March 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Cnbc.com, 2 July 2013
  78. "Turkmen president quits top party". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 10 October 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  79. "A horse, a horse … Turkmenistan president honours himself with statue". The Guardian. 25 May 2015. Archived from the original on 11 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  80. Adam Taylor, Turkmenistan’s leader, infamous for falling off a horse, unveils a giant statue of himself riding a horse Archived 3 April 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Washingtonpost.com, 25 May 2015
  81. Damien Sharkov, Turkmenistan votes to allow president rule indefinitely Archived 26 September 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Newsweek.com, 14 September 2016
  82. Turkmenistan President Bans All Non-White Cars From Capital Archived 9 June 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  83. "Turkmenistan's road police detain vehicles of all colours except white | Chronicles of Turkmenistan". 7 January 2018. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  84. Turkmenistan's president performs in rap video with his grandson – video Archived 6 April 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Theguardian.com, 11 July 2018
  85. "Turkmenistan to cut state funding for science". Associated Press. 30 January 2019. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  86. "В рейтинг худших диктаторов мира попало трое из СНГ". Политика (in Russian). 20 September 2010. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  87. "2014 OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, Working Session 5, Wednesday 24 September 2014: Rule of Law 2". Archived from the original on 20 February 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  88. ""Туркменхимия" задолжала "Белгорхимпрому" более $150 млн за строительство Гарлыкского ГОКХроника Туркменистана". Хроника Туркменистана (in Russian). 1 February 2019. Archived from the original on 21 June 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  89. "Ад инвестора. Несколько реальных историй людей и компаний, решившихся вложить деньги в Туркменистан | Tsn.life". Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  90. "Как Туркменистан, кидая инвесторов, подтверждает свои подвальные индексы" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  91. "Transparency International: Туркмения лидирует в мировом рейтинге коррупции". EADaily (in Russian). Archived from the original on 21 June 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  92. "Corruption Perceptions Index 2018". transparency.org. Archived from the original on 28 December 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  93. "Index of Economic Freedom: Promoting Economic Opportunity and Prosperity by Country". heritage.org. Archived from the original on 15 January 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  94. "Turkmenistan: President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov is awarded the status of Arkadag – protector - Ferghana Information agency, Moscow". Enews.fergananews.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  95. Sapar Muradov, Military school named after Berdimuhamed Annayev receives the Medal of Honour, which was awarded to the grandfather of President of Turkmenistan Archived 28 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Orient.tm, 27 September 2018
  96. "В Туркменистане торжественно отметили 75-летие Победы | Общество". Информационный центр. Archived from the original on 17 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  97. "Turkmenistan celebrates Victory Day | Turkmenistan.ru". www.turkmenistan.ru. Archived from the original on 18 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  98. "Замглавы Минобороны РФ передал президенту Туркмении знамя полка, в котором воевал его дед". tass.ru. Archived from the original on 18 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  99. "Школа в туркменском селе Ызгант получила имя деда президента | Интернет-газета Turkmenistan.Ru". www.turkmenistan.ru. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  100. "Семья героев". 22 October 2012. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  101. "Military unit in Turkmenistan named after father of President Berdymukhamedov | Turkmenistan.ru". www.turkmenistan.ru. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  102. "Золотой век". www.turkmenistan.gov.tm. Archived from the original on 16 July 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  103. "Президент Туркменистана награжден юбилейной медалью, учрежденной в честь 25-летия независимости страны" (in Russian). Chronicles of Turkmenistan. 14 September 2016. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  104. ""По просьбе граждан" президент получил звание Почетного старейшины" (in Russian). Chronicles of Turkmenistan. 26 September 2019. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  105. "Президенту Туркменистана присвоено почётное звание "Türkmenistanyň ussat halypa seýsi"" (in Russian). «Туркменистан: золотой век». 16 April 2021. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  106. "Бердымухамедова наградили знаком "Искусный дипломат Туркменистана" – РИА Новости, 19.02.2022". Ria.ru. 19 February 2022. Archived from the original on 20 February 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  107. "Гурбангулы Бердымухаммедов удостоен высшей награды Королевства Саудовская Аравия". Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  108. "Гурбангулы Бердымухамедов стал кавалером Ордена Зайеда". Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  109. "Президент Туркменистана награждён орденом Исмоили Сомони первой степени". Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  110. "Первый официальный визит президента Туркменистана в Бахрейн". Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  111. "Official visit of Turkmenistan". Presidency of Republic of Turkey. 29 February 2012. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  112. "Blic Online – Nikolić ordenja deli u tri smene". Blic Online. Archived from the original on 19 October 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  113. "Бердымухамедову присвоено звание почетного профессора пекинского медуниверситета" (in Russian). Chronicles of Turkmenistan. 14 May 2014. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  114. "Бердымухаммедова наградили орденом "Шейх-уль-ислам"" (in Russian). Chronicles of Turkmenistan. 14 January 2014. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  115. "Президенту Туркменистана присвоено звание Почетного доктора университета Сонгюнгван" (in Russian). Chronicles of Turkmenistan. 15 April 2015. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  116. "Президенту Туркменистана присвоено звание почетного доктора университета Цукуба" (in Russian). Chronicles of Turkmenistan. 14 March 2015. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  117. "Президент Бердымухамедов был награжден медалью Афганистана" (in Russian). Chronicles of Turkmenistan. 29 November 2016. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  118. "Президенту Бердымухамедову присвоили звание почетного доктора политических наук университета Пакистана" (in Russian). Chronicles of Turkmenistan. 17 March 2016. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  119. "Декрет Президента Молдовы № 2512 от 15 декабря 2016 года «О награждении Его Превосходительства господина Гурбангулы Бердымухамедова орденом "Ordinul Republicii"»". Archived from the original on 13 November 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  120. "TURKMENISTAN PRESIDENT DECORATED WITH GAGAUZIA'S ORDER". 30 June 2017. Archived from the original on 14 January 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  121. "Президента Туркменистана наградили казахским орденом "Достык"" (in Russian). Chronicles of Turkmenistan. 18 April 2017. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  122. "Press statements following Russia-Turkmenistan talks". President of Russia. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  123. "AKIpress News Agency". m.akipress.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  124. "Президент Туркменистана получил награду "за развитие СМИ в регионе"" (in Russian). Chronicles of Turkmenistan. 5 October 2018. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  125. "Токаев вручил Бердымухамедову орден «Алтын Қыран»". www.zakon.kz. 29 June 2022.
  126. "Turkmenistan's Ex-President Hails Putin's Role in Boosting Ties Between Moscow and Ashgabat".
  127. "В Дубае открылось туркменское консульство, которое возглавил зять Бердымухамедова" (in Russian). Хроника Туркменистана. 24 November 2019. Archived from the original on 27 November 2019. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  128. Бердымухамедов наградил своего сына медалью имени своего отца Archived 10 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Azattyq.com, 30 October 2017
  129. "Указ Президента Туркменистана о Бердимухамедове С.Г.". Нейтральный Туркменистан. 12 February 2021.
  130. "Türkmenistanyň Ministrler Kabinetiniň we Döwlet howpsuzlyk geňeşiniň bilelikdäki giňişleýin mejlisi" (in Turkmen). Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Gümrük Gullugy. 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  131. "Türkmenistanyň Ministrler Kabinetiniň we Döwlet howpsuzlyk geňeşiniň bilelikdäki giňişleýin mejlisi" (in Turkmen). "Türkmenistan: Altyn asyr". 11 February 2021. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  132. "Внуки Бердымухамедова обучаются в элитной школе в Швейцарии (обновлено)". turkmen.news. 30 January 2020. Archived from the original on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  133. "Turkmenistan: My kingdom for a horse association – Legacy and death". Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin. Eurasianet. 20 April 2021. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  134. "Malikguly Berdimuhamedov has passed away at the age of 89". InAshgabat Editorial. 18 April 2021. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  135. "BOOKS OF THE PRESIDENT OF TURKMENISTAN - WINNERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING CONTEST | VIENNA, REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA - EMBASSY OF TURKMENISTAN". austria.tmembassy.gov.tm. Archived from the original on 31 December 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  136. "New Book "Heavenly Beauty" by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov | ahat-teke.org". ahal-teke.org. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  137. "The book dedicated to the 60th anniversary of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was published – tpetroleum". Archived from the original on 31 December 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  138. "Turkmenistan president lauds tea-drinking in new book | Chronicles of Turkmenistan". 24 March 2016. Archived from the original on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  139. Turkmenistan, Source: Chronicle of (11 July 2018). "Turkmenistan's president performs in rap video with his grandson – video". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  140. "INTERVIEW OF THE PRESIDENT OF TURKMENISTAN FOR THE TURKMENISTAN MAGAZINE | Turkmenistan.ru". Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  141. "The President of Turkmenistan Awarded with UCI Certificate". Business.com. 4 July 2019. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  142. "Пресс-служба президента Узбекистана подтвердила, что лидер Туркмении жив". govoritmoskva.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  143. "Умер президент Туркменистана Гурбангулы Бердымухамедов, сообщили СМИ". gazeta.ru (in Russian). 21 July 2019. Archived from the original on 21 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  144. "Embassy of Turkmenistan refutes media reports about death of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov". Akipress.com. 21 July 2019. Archived from the original on 21 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.