The Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, says she "deeply deplores" the prison sentences imposed on Turkmen dissident Nurberdy Nurmamedov and his son.

Ferrero-Waldner said February 29 that Nurmamedov was sentenced to five years in a labor camp for "hooliganism" but there are "strong indications" he was punished for criticizing the Turkmen government, especially the People's Assembly decision to grant President Saparmurat Niyazov the right to remain in office as long as he wants.

"Additional worrying circumstances," Ferrero-Waldner said, were the rapid conduct of Nurmamedov's trial and the fact that international observers and Nurmamedov's relatives were not permitted to attend.

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office called on Turkmen authorities to review the case against Nurmamedov and his son "in conformity with international standards and OSCE commitments for fair trial."

Following is the text of her statement:

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Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Chairperson-in-Office Vienna Press Release 29 February 2000

Statement by OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Prison Sentences for Dissident Nurberdy Nurmamedov and His Son

VIENNA, 29 February 2000 -- The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, deeply deplores that Nurberdy Nurmamedov, Turkmen opposition activist, and his son Murad have been sentenced to detention for five and two years respectively in a labour camp.

Mr. Nurmamedov, known for his personal integrity, received his sentence for hooliganism.

However, there are strong indications that Mr. Nurmamedov was arrested for his criticism of the Turkmen government. He has sharply criticized the way in which the December Parliamentary Election was conducted as well as the decision of the Halk Maslahaty (People's Assembly) to grant President Niyazov the right to remain in office as long as he chooses.

Additional worrying circumstances of the trial are its rapid conduct - it was concluded within one day on the 25 February - and the fact that international observers as well as relatives and friends of Mr. Nurmamedov were not allowed into the courtroom.

The Chairperson-in-Office recalls the Statement made by the OSCE Troika on Turkmenistan on 21 January which urges Turkmenistan to release prisoners held in custody on political grounds. The Chairperson-in-Office calls on the Turkmen authorities to review the case of Mr. Nurmamedov and his son in conformity with international standards and OSCE commitments for fair trial.

Press and Public Information Section OSCE Secretariat Karntner Ring 5-7 A-1010 Vienna, Austria tel: (+43-1) 514 36 180 E-mail: info@osce.org Website: http://www.osce.org

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: usinfo.state.gov)

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