Shikhmuradov, Boris
Who, Why and How exiled: He served as the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador to China at various times in Turkmenistan. Arrived in Moscow from Beijing on 11 October 2001 and was invited to Independence Day celebrations in Ashgabat. He was hospitalised in Moscow and missed the celebrations, for which he was questioned about. He wrote to President Niyazov to resign in connection to his ongoing medical treatments. He announced his intention to create a democratic opposition to the Turkmen regime in November 2001. His wife Tatiana Shikhmuradova left Turkmenistan in March 2001 and feels she cannot return now due to fears for her safety (CCPR, 2011; Fergana news, 2014).
Stage 1 details (accusations/ charges/ Interpol notice/ extradition requests): Soon after announcing his intention to create an opposition party in November 2001, the state brought criminal proceedings against Boris. An arrest warrant was issued, listing crimes including trafficking in arms and explosives. He was also later accused of being the mastermind behind an attempt on the President's life in 2002 (CCPR, 2011).
Stage 2 details (arrest/ detention/ extradition): Arrested in Ashgabat after giving himself up in December 2002 and sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment, later changed to life. His wife has not been informed of his whereabouts ever since. She believes his confession video shows him under the influence of drugs (CCPR, 2011).
Stage 3 details (attack/ abduction/ rendition/ torture/ assassination/ death): It is believed that he was shot in prison BL-T/5 (Chronicles of Turkmenistan,2017).
Legal status (refugee/ asylum seeker/ resident): Russian national
Current status: Boris Shikhmuradov was arrested in his apartment in Ashgabat and sentenced for 25 years (CCPR, 2011). Although not confirmed by official sources, it is believed Boris Shikhmuradov was killed in prison at some point between April 2003 and November 2005 (Chronicles of Turkmenistan, 2017).
Legal sources: UN Human Rights Committee,2011. Shikhmuradov v. Turkmenistan, CCPR/C/112/D/2069/2011. [Online]. Available at:http://docstore.ohchr.org/SelfServices/FilesHandler.ashx?enc=6QkG1d%2FPPRiCAqhKb7yhsukPtYsnxNH1DBeueuCbK4gjvkz7RiSjoooNDhey%2FtyT7QMJ5pz0ZW3sN8bi2L8MN1b007I7DzcfFoiOfzozvN8SPaAGolp0ku%2BH6i%2FQ3h0B063deLVS09O0UyZZnWdkwA%3D%3D. Chronicles of Turkmenistan, 2017. "Boris Shikhmuradov was killed during Niyasov's presidency" , 16th March 2017. [Online]. Available at:http://en.chrono-tm.org/2017/03/boris-shikhmuradov-was-killed-during-niyazovs-presidency/ Fergana news, "2014. Не верь, не бойся, не проси. Россия отреклась от Бориса Шихмурадова", 24 November, 2014. [Online]. Available at:http://www.fergananews.com/articles/8316