On 6 April President Serdar Berdymukhammedov held an extended session of Turkmenistan’s Security Council, in the course of which he dismissed the Interior Minister Ovezdurdy Khodzhaniyazov.
The reason behind the decision was the violation of road traffic rules by Ashgabat drivers.
During the session Prosecutor General Batyr Atdayev gave a briefing on a performance inspection of the Road Traffic Department of the Interior Ministry responsible for ensuring road safety.
He reported that over thirty violators had been detained and brought to justice for driving at speeds of 100 to 180 km/h.Names and Registration numbers of those detained were provided.
Footage from Turkmen television showed the perpetrators who offered their apologies and promised not to violate road traffic regulations again.
According to sources of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan”, some of the violators shown on TV not only exceeded the speed limit but were also responsible for accidents, fortunately without any casualties.
Among the detainees were those who had refused to meet the request of the road police officers to present documents and make a police report.The perpetrators insulted the police officers and even tried to provoke a fight.
About two thirds of the detainees are friends or acquaintances of cousins of Serdar Berdymukhammedov (former President’s nephews). The road patrol was organized at his initiative.
All detainees have had their driving licenses confiscated, but no criminal charges initiated and none of them are in custody.The post The majority of those detained a week ago for speeding are acquaintances of the former President’s nephews first appeared on Chronicles of Turkmenistan.