Belyalov, Viktor

Gender: Male.

State of concern: Turkmenistan.

Who, Why and How exiled:

Co-founder of Ashgabat Computer Club and World With Internet. In 2004, he was forced to flee Turkmenistan when co-founders of the clubs were arrested (Fergana News, 2004).

Category of exile: 4. (Definitions here.)

Alleged affiliation: World With Internet organization (Turkmenistan).

Which stages experienced: Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3. (Definitions here.)

Date of most serious incident: 2004.

Violence experienced: Unknown.

Stage 1 details (accusations/ charges/ Interpol notice/ extradition requests):

In 2004 his colleagues, Mamur Atayev, Seiran Mamedov, and Davlet Niyazdurdyev, were taken into custody. Upon hearing of their arrest, Belyalov fled Turkmenistan, whilst the authorities began to arrest a number of his students (Fergana News, 2004).

International arrest warrant: Unknown.

Current status:

Unknown

Press sources:

Fergana News (2004). Organizers of a computer club and its visitors arrested in Turkmenistan. [online] Fergananews.Com. Available at: http://enews.fergananews.com/article.php?id=528 [Accessed 15 Apr. 2018].

About ExCAS

The Exeter Central Asian Studies research group (ExCAS) was formed in 2010 and now includes as active members around ten doctoral students and alumni, including five members of the University of Central Asia’s Faculty Development Programme, as well as academic staff, honorary fellows and associates of the University of Exeter. The group includes scholars of Political Science, Sociology, Islamic studies, social mobilization, civil society, gender studies, conflict studies and International Relations.

Our focus is the five former Soviet Central Asian republics plus Afghanistan but our seminars and events frequently include persons with interests in neighbouring or comparable regions including Chinese Turkestan, Russia, the Caucasus, Iran, Turkey and other parts of the Middle East.

Please contact John Heathershaw for further information.