Correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” have found out that on 9 August the Presidential executive office disseminated the verbal instruction addressed to executives of the provinces, special services, representatives of the Elders’ Council and the clergy to refute rumours about the alleged death of Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov in the prayers (aýat-töwür) offered in public places on the first day of the Eid al-Adha сelebrations (11 August) and to pray for good health of the President and his family.
The inhabitants of the agricultural associations named after Hadjiev and “Lebap”, located in Chardjour etrap, told correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” that they participated in the prayer.
A resident of the village of Yassy said that during the prayer at the local cemetery, the mullah spoke about telling lies, implying the rumours about the President’s death and wished him, his children, grandchildren and all his family good health for many years to come.
Moreover, there were three unidentified men at the cemetery and other places where people congregated. They got together and dispersed, discussed something and made some telephone calls, the man said.
It appears that these individuals controlled the execution of the aforementioned order. Similar reports came from some villages of Mary velayat.
Turkmen celebrities had been previously engaged in denying rumours about the President’s death, who recorded videos cursing those who spread false reports on the President’s death.
It should be emphasized that the clergy have been often involved to disseminate propaganda.According to sources of Radio “Azatlyk”, in May mullahs cursed Berdymukhammedov’s enemies during the prayers and in June, on the occasion of Ramadan celebrations, praised the President in mosques