Turkmenistan: More arrests

Last week, I noted the arrest of Mr. Rejepov, former head of one of Turkmenistan's security apparati.  This week, a former confidante of Turkmenbashi and former Agricultural minister Meredov has been arrested. 

Ferghana.ru translates reports from Vremya Novostei: Paizygeldy Meredov was arrested for corruption and financial fraud in the cotton industry.  His son, Batyr Meredov, a resident of the UAE, has also been arrested.  Under Turkmenbashi, Mr. Meredov the elder had been sacked in 1994.  He had still retained his friendship, however, with Mr. Niyazov. 

Under this new wave of arrests, it seems likely that the current president of Turkmenistan is trying to account for Turkmenistan's long-lost revenue. 

Suddenly those BMWs that Turkmenbashi handed out to favored officials don't look like reliable transportation to get where you want to go–   

Photos: Web.NCF.CA