Nurmuradov, Shirali
Who, Why and How exiled: Nurmuradov is a poet and former critic of Turkmenistan’s government (Amnesty International, 1995). He was also Aqzybirlik member (Helsenki Watch, 1993). He has lived outside Turkmenistan since 1992 (in Russia, then Poland and Sweden), when he was released from prison in Turkmenistan after an 18-month sentence for “swindling” (Amnesty International, 1995). Amnesty International (1995) reported that he was probably a prisoner of conscience.
Stage 1 details (accusations/ charges/ Interpol notice/ extradition requests): In Turkmenistan Shirali was persecuted for his political criticism. Shirali was arrested several times and in his home country, Turkmenistan, where people were persecuted even for reading his poems (Chronicles of Turkmenistan, 2016).
Stage 2 details (arrest/ detention/ extradition): Nurmuradov was arrested at his home in Moscow in 1993 on illegal possession of narcotics (Amnesty International, 1995). His supporters claimed that the allegations were fabrication and Amnesty International (1995) reports that unofficial sources have told them that Turkmenistan requested his arrest. Russia did not grant the extradition of him after his arrest, and he was able to move to Poland, and then later to Sweden (RFE/RL, 2016).
Other actions during Stages 1–3 (dispossession/ overseas assets frozen/ intimidation/ action against associates/ …): Gulnara Nurmuradova, Nurmuradov’s daughter and also an opposition activist, was detained for three days in April 1995 and questioned about her Father’s and her own opposition activities (Amnesty International, 1996).
Legal status (refugee/ asylum seeker/ resident): Nurmuradov gained political asylum status in Sweden (RFERL, 2016).
Current status: Nurmuradov died in Sweden in October 2016 aged 71 (Chronicles of Turkmenistan, 2016).
Press sources: Amnesty International. (1995). Fear of forcible repatriation / Fear for Safety. Available:https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/176000/eur460161995en.pdf. Last accessed 3rd April 2018. Amnesty International. (1996). Amnesty International Report 1996- Turkmenistan.Available: http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aa0128.html. Last accessed 3rd April 2018. Chronicles of Turkmenistan. (2016). Dissident Poet Shirali Nurmuradov Dies. Available: https://en.hronikatm.com/2016/10/dissident-poet-shirali-nurmuradov-dies/. Last accessed 3rd April 2018. Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty (RFERL). (2016). Exiled Turkmen Dissident Poet Dies in Sweden. Available: https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmenistan-exiled-poet-nurmuradov-dies/28047805.html. Last accessed 3rd April 2018. Helsenki Watch (1993). Human Rights in Turkmenistan. July 1993 Human Rights Watch.