Tightening digital controls and domestic and transnational repression

This update covers developments affecting the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly in Turkmenistan from November 2025 to May 2026. International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) and the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR) have prepared it as part of their cooperation with the CIVICUS Monitor.

Turkmenistan’s highly restrictive media environment continued to draw international criticism during the reporting period. In May 2026, Reporters without Borders again ranked the country near the bottom of its annual World Press Freedom Index, pointing to pervasive state control over the media, severe internet censorship, and reprisals against independent voices.

Despite official promises to improve connectivity and digital development, authorities reportedly intensified efforts to suppress access to uncensored information by targeting Starlink satellite internet equipment as part of an ongoing crackdown on tools used to circumvent online censorship. At the same time, the rollout of new Ethernet internet networks raised concerns that infrastructure modernisation may also be used to facilitate more centralised control and monitoring of internet traffic. In another development reflecting growing digital control, schools in Turkmenabat reportedly instructed parents to ensure their children do not post photos from public places on social media, in what appeared to be an attempt to prevent the sharing of information contradicting official narratives.

The government’s zero-tolerance approach to criticism was further illustrated by the alarming case of blogger Didar Amansakhatov, who disappeared after criticising rising food prices on TikTok in November 2025. Independent media reports indicate that he was detained, tortured and died from his injuries, with his case subsequently used by security forces to intimidate other social media users.

Citizens attempting to seek accountability for unlawful or corrupt actions by officials also faced harassment. For example, Lebap resident Rozygul Mamekova was obstructed and intimidated in connection with her efforts to challenge the loss of agricultural land her family relied on for its livelihood.

Politically motivated persecution of activists and journalists remained a serious concern. Authorities refused to release imprisoned human rights activist Mansur Mingelov on medical grounds despite his documented severe health condition and repeated calls from international human rights bodies. Former political prisoner and journalist Nurgeldy Khalykov remained subject to an arbitrary travel ban, which authorities justified on alleged “national security” grounds. Journalist and human rights defender Soltan Achilova reported new suspected poisoning attempts following earlier incidents that had already prompted concern from UN experts and human rights organisations.

Transnational repression targeting Turkmenistani critics abroad also persisted. The fate of bloggers Alisher Sakhatov and Abdulla Orusov — who disappeared in Turkey in summer 2025 after the Turkish Constitutional Court suspended their deportation proceedings — remained unknown. The detention centre’s failure to provide surveillance footage from the day of their disappearance reinforced concerns that they may have been abducted and forcibly returned by Turkmenistani authorities.

Other cases reported during the reporting period highlighted concerns about Turkmenistan’s misuse of international cooperation mechanisms to target “inconvenient” individuals. Maral Annayeva was reportedly detained in the United Arab Emirates in April 2026 based on an INTERPOL notice and forcibly returned to Turkmenistan after criticising the authorities for failing to ensure accountability for domestic violence and other abuses she had reported. Aysoltan Niyazova – the daughter of an opposition and human rights activist who reportedly was imprisoned and disappeared following the alleged 2002 assassination attempt on the then president – finally succeeded in having a long-standing INTERPOL notice against her removed. Based on this notice, she had been detained repeatedly in several European countries.

Authorities also continued the practice of forcibly mobilising citizens for state-organised events and related rehearsals. In February 2026, university students were reportedly compelled to participate in orchestrated support activities linked to a major international football match in Ashgabat, with rehearsals taking place in near-freezing conditions. In another troubling case, school and kindergarten children in Balkanabat were reportedly mobilised for filming connected to state celebrations in April 2026 and kept outdoors for hours in cold weather while dressed in light traditional costumes, reportedly causing many of them to fall ill.

These developments are covered in more detail below.

Expression

New bottom ranking

Turkmenistan’s highly restrictive media climate earned it a new bottom rating in the annual World Press Freedom Index 2026, published by Reporters without Borders (RSF) in May 2026. Turkmenistan was ranked 173rd among 180 countries, with a total score of 23.06 on a scale from 0-100 where 0 represents the lowest possible level of press freedom, and 100 the highest. While its ranking went up one place compared to 2025, there has been no meaningful improvement.

RSF noted that national media are state controlled and fuel government propaganda, with news amounting “only to praise for the regime”. Independent media are based abroad, with their contributors working undercover at the risk of prosecution, imprisonment and torture. RSF also pointed out that citizens lack access to worldwide information sources on the web and risk a fine if they try to use a VPN to circumvent internet censorship.

Internet satellite use suppressed

Despite the government’s promises to improve connectivity, and some steps taken in this direction, the internet speed remains low compared to global standards, and internet outages are recurring. Widespread internet censorship further limits access to information. As covered in the previous update, internet censorship has reportedly escalated further recently amid allegations of corruption involving cybersecurity officials.

The government has long campaigned against VPN services used to bypass internet restrictions, targeting both those who use such services and those who assist others with installing them. During the reporting period, authorities reportedly extended its clampdown to Starlink terminals obtained from abroad, which some citizens have started using to access more stable, uncensored satellite internet. According to several independent media sources, in April 2026, authorities conducted raids in various regions of the country to identify and confiscate Starlink equipment from both residential and office buildings, with some individuals being detained on suspicion of installing such equipment.

In another recent development, TIHR’s sources reported in March 2026 that schools in Turkmenabat had distributed documents requiring pupils to sign written statements committing not to post photos from visits to public places on social media, particularly on TikTok, in addition to wearing the prescribed school uniform, i.e. Turkmen national clothing. Their parents were again required to monitor their children’s compliance with these undertakings. In a context in which all forms of public expression are closely controlled, there are concerns that this may constitute another attempt to prevent the publication of images or information contradicting official narratives, reflecting broader efforts to control online expression rather than genuine child protection concerns.

Further, in May 2026, TIHR’s sources reported that authorities in Turkmenabat had begun replacing outdated ADSL internet connections with Ethernet networks, officially presenting the move as part of efforts to modernise the country’s digital infrastructure. Notably, Ethernet connections were being prioritised over the more advanced GPON fibre-optic technology that the authorities have long claimed would be gradually introduced nationwide. While installation work was reportedly carried out free of charge, residents were required to purchase compatible routers themselves, adding a financial burden in a context of ongoing economic hardship. Although the transition may improve connection stability and speed, the broader context of ongoing restrictions on online freedoms raises concerns that the new system could also facilitate more centralised control and monitoring of internet traffic, thereby tightening censorship further.

Lack of tolerance for criticism of government narratives

The government’s lack of tolerance for criticism of government-enforced narratives of prosperity is illustrated by the following alarming case:

In November 2025, Didar Amansakhatov, a blogger known as “Hitrowski” who covered on TikTok everyday issues affecting citizens, reportedly disappeared shortly after posting a video sharply criticising rising food prices, particularly the cost of meat. According to information obtained by the Turkmen service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), he is believed to have been detained by law enforcement authorities, tortured and subsequently to have died from the injuries he sustained. The service’s journalists later discovered his grave, substantiating these allegations.

RFE/RL also reported that, following Amansakhatov’s disappearance, security and police officers carried out a broader campaign of summoning, questioning and threatening social media users posting critical comments online. One TikTok user who spoke to the service on condition of anonymity said he was summoned for questioning after expressing condolences to the blogger’s family, warned that his head could be “cut off” if he criticised the government, and told that Amansakhatov’s fate was intended as “a lesson” for others.

Harassment for efforts to ensure justice

Citizens challenging unlawful, corrupt actions by authorities also face harassment, such as in this case:

Rozygul Mamekova, a resident of Lebap region, has engaged in prolonged efforts to obtain justice since she and her husband last year lost access to land they had leased for cotton farming to support their family, including two children with disabilities. This reportedly occurred in connection with corrupt practices following a change in the leadership of the state-controlled agricultural association managing the land. After appeals to local officials failed to bring results, Mamekova sought to raise the case with national authorities. However, according to information obtained by TIHR, she repeatedly faced harassment in doing so. Police reportedly obstructed her from approaching state bodies in the capital Ashgabat and pressured her husband in this context. In December 2025, Mamekova was also reportedly prevented from attending a meeting with Oguljahan Atabayeva, the president’s sister and vice president of the state Children’s Foundation, who visited Lebap region together with a delegation of state officials and met with several families with children with disabilities who had submitted appeals to her. According to TIHR’s information, local authorities summoned Mamekova at the same time, supposedly to discuss her complaints, and held her for several hours before releasing her without providing any assistance.

Association

State-directed contributions to public associations

As before, there is no space for independent civil society organisations to operate in Turkmenistan. All registered public associations function within a tightly controlled framework, with the sector dominated by state-organised and state-supported organisations. Reports also indicate that individuals have been compelled to make financial contributions to officially registered organisations. According to information obtained by TIHR in May 2026, public health care sector employees and medical students were required, based on an order from the Ministry of Health, to contribute financially to the association Ýaş Tebigatçy (“Young Naturalist”). Founded in 2022, the stated mission of this organisation is to promote environmental awareness and volunteerism among young people.

Human rights defender denied release on medical grounds, activists excluded from pardon

Politically motivated imprisonment remains of serious concern. A prominent victim of this practice is human rights activist Mansur Mingelov, who has been imprisoned for over a decade on charges believed to have been initiated in retaliation for his efforts to expose ill-treatment of members of the ethnic Baloch community. Alongside human rights groups, UN human rights bodies have repeatedly called for his release amid ongoing concerns about his health and well-being in prison. However, while Turkmenistani authorities have acknowledged that Mingelov suffers from a severe medical condition, they have failed to secure his release on these grounds. As reported by Turkmen.News, in October 2025, authorities rejected a petition from his family requesting early release for medical reasons. The relevant department of the Ministry of Interior claimed that available information did not justify such a move, even though his diagnosed condition is included on an official list of diseases making prisoners eligible for release.

Ahead of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality status in December 2025, IPHR, TIHR, Turkmen.News and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee called on the authorities to mark this symbolic occasion by pardoning and releasing individuals imprisoned on unsubstantiated grounds for peacefully exercising their fundamental freedoms. The NGOs raised in particular the cases of Mansur Mingelov, Murat Dushemov - who was handed a new eight-year sentence in September 2025 after serving out an earlier unjust four-year sentence - as well as several activists believed to have been imprisoned after being forcibly returned to the country (see more about the cases of two such activists below). However, unfortunately, the presidential pardon implemented on the occasion of this state holiday is not known to have been extended to any of these individuals.

Arbitrary travel restrictions and reported poisoning attempts

Journalist Nurgeldy Khalykov has been banned from travelling abroad following his release from prison in 2024 and has engaged in extended efforts to legally challenge the ban. After months of legal proceedings, in October 2025, a local court ordered the migration service to disclose the legal basis of the ban. In an official response from December 2025, the service justified the ban by claiming that Khalykov’s departure from the country “contradicts national security interests”, citing article 30, point 10 of the Law on Migration. Khalykov concluded that this response clearly indicates the involvement of the security services in preventing him from travelling abroad and confirms the politically motivated nature of the case against him.

Khalykov previously served four years in prison on spurious fraud charges brought against him after he shared a photo of a WHO delegation visiting Turkmenistan in summer 2020 with the Netherlands-based Turkmen.News and the authorities discovered his cooperation with this organisation.

As covered before, Soltan Achilova – a journalist and human rights defender who cooperates with TIHR – has also been arbitrarily prevented from travelling abroad. In addition, she has repeatedly faced other forms of harassment, including suspected poisoning attempts. In video material posted by TIHR in March 2026, Achilova reported two new alleged cases of attempted poisoning: one at a vacation facility in September 2025 and another linked to medical treatment she received at home the following month. These allegations further heightened concerns about her safety and well-being, expressed by both human rights groups and UN human rights experts.

No news of bloggers who disappeared in Turkey

As covered in the previous update, bloggers Alisher Sakhatov and Abdulla Orusov were detained in Turkey in April 2025, ordered to be deported for allegedly threatening public security, and placed in deportation centres pending legal appeals. In July 2025, Turkey’s Constitutional Court suspended their deportation to allow further assessment of the risks they faced if returned to Turkmenistan. However, shortly afterwards the two bloggers disappeared after allegedly being released from detention.

While there is no confirmed information about the fate of the two bloggers, information obtained by relatives and human rights groups indicate that they may have been forcibly returned to Turkmenistan with the direct involvement of Turkmenistani authorities. This has prompted concerns that they are currently imprisoned in Turkmenistan in retaliation for their civic engagement.

In April 2026, as part of an investigation into the case, the prosecutor’s office in the Turkish city of Edirne, where the two bloggers disappeared, requested surveillance footage from the detention centre where they had been held on the day of their disappearance. However, the detention centre failed to provide the footage, claiming that recordings are not being retained for more than six months. Previously, the administration of the detention centre had also rejected requests by lawyers to provide the footage, leading human rights defenders to suspect that it was deliberately seeking to cover up unlawful actions against the bloggers.

Misuse of INTERPOL mechanisms

There are also serious concerns that Turkmenistani authorities have used the INTERPOL cooperation system to target “inconvenient” individuals, as in the following two cases:

In mid-April 2026, Maral Annayeva – who had appeared in online broadcasts hosted by well-known exile-based opposition activists – was reportedly detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), based on an Interpol notice issued at Turkmenistan’s request, and forcibly returned to Turkmenistan together with her two children. According to Turkmen.News, in her online appearances, Annayeva accused her ex-husband – a senior police communications official – of domestic violence and other misconduct while she lived in Turkmenistan. Her accusations also extended to other members of her family. In addition, she criticised the authorities, including those at the highest level, for failing to adequately address her complaints regarding these issues. Annayeva reportedly left Turkmenistan due to the lack of accountability for the abusive treatment she encountered, first seeking protection in Iran and later in the UAE. It is not known on what charges she was extradited from the UAE, and there is no further information about her fate following her return. However, given her critical online comments, she faces a high risk of persecution in Turkmenistan.

In February 2026, Aysoltan Niyazova – a participant in the Russian feminist protest and performance art group Pussy Riot – reported being removed from INTERPOL’s database after years of attempts by the Turkmenistani authorities to secure her forcible return to the country. An INTERPOL notice against her was issued as early as 2002 after Turkmenistani authorities accused her of involvement in a high-profile embezzlement case concerning the country’s Central Bank – allegations she has denied. In 2011, Niyazova was detained in Switzerland, which declined to extradite her to Turkmenistan but transferred her to Russia, where she was imprisoned for six years on some of the charges brought against her in Turkmenistan. Following her release from prison in Russia, Niyazova was repeatedly detained again based on the INTERPOL notice, which remained in force, when travelling through different European countries. These detentions in Slovenia, Croatia and Poland lasted from a few hours to several days before she was eventually released. Pussy Riot has deemed the charges against Niyazova politically motivated and linked to the opposition and human rights related activities of her father, Kurbanmurad Niyazov, who was reportedly imprisoned in Turkmenistan following the alleged assassination attempt on former President Saparmurat Niyazov in 2002, subsequently disappeared, and is believed to have died in detention.

Peaceful Assembly

Forced mass mobilisation persists

The authorities continue to forcibly mobilise citizens for mass events – including state holiday celebrations, official ceremonies, sport events and other state orchestrated gatherings – as well as intense rehearsals preceding them. This practice violates the right to voluntary participation in assemblies, disrupts the work and studies of those affected, and endangers their health.

This is one example documented during the reporting period:

• According to TIHR’s information, authorities mass mobilised university students to attend a match held as part of the AFC Champions League II – a major Asian club football competition – between Turkmenistan’s Arkadag (a state-backed club named after the honorary title of former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov) and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nasr in Ashgabat in February 2026. Over several days, the students were forced to rehearse their actions in the stands, including chanting slogans and waving flags. The rehearsals took place in near-freezing temperatures, posing health risks to the students and disrupting the educational process. On the day of the match, they were transported to the stadium in organised buses under the supervision of security personnel.

Another reported case gave rise to particular concern due to the mobilisation of children:

• As reported by the Turkmen service of RFE/RL, in April 2026, school and kindergarten children in Balkanabat were forcibly mobilised for the filming of celebrations related to the Akhal-Teke Horse Festival and the launch of a new phase of development at the Galkynysh gas field. The children – primarily girls – were collected from their schools and kindergartens early in the morning and taken to the local hippodrome, where they had to spend several hours outdoors in chilly weather. Participants were dressed in light traditional costumes and, according to their parents, were unable to move freely, warm up, or use the restroom during the filming. According to parents, many children became ill afterwards. It was also reported that children are screened for participation in such events based on “trustworthiness” criteria, including a so-called “clean family history.”