The arrests of graduates and teachers of the former Turkmen-Turkish lyceums as well as those who did a course of studies in Turkish higher educational establishments are still underway in Turkmenistan. Radio “Azatlyk” reports that in the course of May about 50 people accused of links with the Gülen movement, the Turkish opposition leader Fethullah Gülen, were arrested in Lebap region alone.
The raid to identify Fethullah Gülen followers was carried out by the special services in Lebap velayat on 22 April.
“At 10 p.m.the law enforcement officers showed up announced in the teachers’ dormitory of the 2nd specialized school (formerly, a Turkish school) in the city of Atamurat.
The group made up of police officers, national security officers, the chairperson of the rural council, the district police officer and the school principal (a total of 40 people) burst into the building and started confiscating books, telephones, ipads, hard disc drives and even prayer rugs from the dormitory inhabitants.
Law enforcement officers arrested 7 teachers and three visitors.Family members of teachers were detained.The next day law enforcement officers came back and arrested some more people.
All of them are graduates and teachers of the Turkish lyceums.Members of their families were later released”, the source said.
According to another source, starting from 23 April several raids to detain Guelen supporters were carried out in Lebap velayat. Entrepreneurs and wealthy residents, who are related to Turkmen-Turkish educational establishments, were subjected to arrests.
“On 29 an aide to khyakim of Beyik-Turkmenbashi district was also arrested. As far as I am aware as of now about 30 detainees are being kept in the pre-trial detention facility in the police department the city of Turkmenabat. A total of 50 people were arrested”, the source reported.
Let us recall that in late February over 30 individuals were sentenced to lengthy imprisonment terms on charges of links with Fethullah Gülen.