Turkmen Activist Malikberdy Allamyradov Disappears in Russia

About three days ago, Turkmen activist Malikberdy Allamyradov, who lives in Russia, ceased to be in contact, his associates reported. Allamyradov is best known for his single picket protest against restrictions on currency conversion imposed by the Turkmen authorities which he staged as a student at Kalmyk State University in the city of Elista in 2021. Allamyradov was detained by the police for violating the laws on protesting, but a court acquitted him, finding no wrongdoing in his actions. Allamyradov has since continued to criticize the Turkmen authorities on the internet. A few months ago, he was forced to change his place of residence after receiving a warning from an acquaintance that he was going to be deported to Turkmenistan. According to his friends, traces of a struggle and blood were found in Allamyradov’s place of residence.