Earlier today, on 7 December, the staff of Turkmenistan’s special services broke the metal door and burst into the apartment of a renowned activist protecting animal rights Galina Kucherenko who has been rescuing cats and dogs from being exterminated by Ashgabat’s public utilities services for many years.
Galina and her daughter Valeria were taken to an unknown location.
Natalya Shabunts, who was reached by telephone by Galina, arrived at Kucherenko’s house, located on Shevchenko street.
According to her, the door hinges were cut off when the door was allegedly being broken into and then welded again.Several dogs and cats are left in the apartment which cannot be opened now.
The police patrol arrived at the scene but they claim that they have no idea of what has happened.
Natalya contacted the UNDP office in Ashgabat hoping that the interference from international agencies could rescue Galina and Valeriya.