Soyinov, Halmurad
Who, Why and How exiled: Soyinov was a former local government leader and Member of Parliament in Turkmenistan (Amnesty International, 1996). He left his home in 1992 living first in Russia and then in Sweden from 1995 (Amnesty International, 1996). He is now part of the opposition in exile (RFERL, 2007).
Stage 1 details (accusations/ charges/ Interpol notice/ extradition requests): Ashirgeldy Syadiyev, a relative of Soyinov’s, was arrested and tried for thought to be fabricated charges of drug trafficking (Amnesty International, 1998). Syadiyev was sentenced to death, although later released under amnesty (Amnesty International, 1998). Amnesty International (1998) expressed concern that Syadiyev may have been detained solely because he was related to and maintained contact with Soyinov.
Stage 2 details (arrest/ detention/ extradition): Soyinov was an associate of Khalmurad Esenov’s, and was arrested a day after Esenov was arrested in Russia in November 1994 (Amnesty International, 1996). They were held at the Petrovka detention centre in Moscow, where they were told they were being investigated for “preparing terrorist acts”, plotting to overthrow the Government of Turkmenistan and illegally purchasing weapons (Amnesty International, 1996). Soyinov was told that he was also being investigated for “corruption and sexual harassment of a former colleague in Turkmenistan” (Amnesty International, 1996). Three weeks after their arrest they were questioned by a procurator from Turkmenistan (Amnesty International, 1996). After a month, Russian authorities “bowed to domestic and international pressure” and released Soyinov and Esenov (Amnesty International, 1996). Amnesty International (1996) also states that there are also unconfirmed reports that Soyinov was tried in absentia for crimes under Article 15/64 and 70 of Turkmenistan’s Criminal Code, and he had been sentenced to death.
Legal status (refugee/ asylum seeker/ resident): Soyinov has been granted political asylum in Sweden (Amnesty International, 1999).
Current status: Residing in Sweden.
Press sources: Amnesty International. (1996). TURKMENISTAN “Measures of persuasion” Recent concerns about possible prisoners of conscience and ill treatment of political opponents. Available: https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/172000/eur610031996en.pdf. Last accessed 19th March 2018. Amnesty International. (1998). Amnesty International Report 1998- Tajikistan. Available: http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aa125f.html. Last accessed 4th April 2018. Amnesty International. (1999). Turkmenistan:Mukhametkuli Aymuradov and Khoshali Garayev Possible Prisoners of Conscience. Available: https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/148000/eur610021999en.pdf. Last accessed 4th April 2018. Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty (RFERL). (2007). Turkmenistan: Sorting Out the Presidential Candidates . Available: https://www.rferl.org/a/1074561.html. Last accessed 4th April 2018.