Update from the US Embassy in Ashgabat
January 22, 2007
I contacted the US Embassy at 9 am this morning (Turkmen time) and received the following information:
- They do not know if a trial has or is taking place for Andrei Zatoka.
- They believe that the trial is a rumor and has or is not occuring.
- They believe that the Turkmen government is still investigating Andrei’s case.
- The Turkmen government has not admitted to charging Andrei.
- Finally they consider Andrei to be under “very serious circumstances” and Andrei is at the top of the human rights concerns in Turkmenistan.
January 26, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Here are a few articles from OSI regarding Andrei:
f. Russian Embassy to ‘Defend Rights and Interests’ of Detained Russian Ecologist
Original Title: Russian Citizen Detained in Turkmenistan for Possessing Snake Poison At Home. Synopsis prepared by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Source: RIA Novosti in Russian/01/17/07
Full version: http://www.rian.ru/incidents/20070117/59213530.html
Synopsis: The Russian Embassy in Ashgabat has sent a request for a consular visit to jailed Russian citizen Andrei Zatoka, RIA Novosti reported. Turkmenistan’s officials say Zatoka, initially charged with “petty hooliganism,” has a Turkmenistan passport and resided permanently in Turkmenistan. Police searched his home and said they found 3 snakes, some poison, an unregistered firearm, a home-made pistol, and ammunition. Diplomats say the case is being discussed at a high level, RIA Novosti reported. The Embassy said it would “take all measures to defend the rights and interests of the Russian citizen,” while acknowledging that Zatoka held a Turkmenistan passport and was detained on Turkmenistan’s territory, RIA Novosti quoted an unnamed diplomat as saying. Zatoka is now charged under two criminal code articles for possessing prohibited items, RIA Novosti reported.
g. U.S. Embassy Replies to Peace Corps Concerns about Russian Environmentalist
Original Title: Letter from U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat/01/22/07 Synopsis prepared by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Source: U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat
Full Version: http://www.chaihana.com/zatoka.jpg
Synopsis: In a letter date January 22 posted at chaihana.com, U.S. Embassy Charges d’Affairs Jennifer L. Brush responded to letters from Peace Corps volunteers in defense of Russian ecologist Andrei Zatoka, jailed in Turkmenistan on charges of weapons possession. The U.S. representatives said the Embassy had received a “significant volume” of letters on behalf of the environmentalist and were “following this case closely at the highest levels” as well as “discussing the case with the government of Turkmenistan and requesting transparency and fairness in the process.” Noting that the charges against Zatoka are “serious,” the Embassy said “further charges also may be filed” and characterized the matter as one of “sensitivity” given hopes for a “new era in bilateral relations”.