Environmental Activist Imprisoned in Turkmenistan

January 3rd, 2007

Andrey Zatoka, an internationally renowned environmental activist from Turkmenistan, has been imprisoned without access to legal council or his family since December 17, 2006.

As of January 5, colleagues have informed us that Andrey Zatoka has been charged with unlawful acquisition or possession of weapons or explosives and unlawful circulation of potent or poisonous substances. The first charge is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years and the latter by imprisonment for up to three years.  For Russian speakes, please visit http://www.seu.ru/projects/zatoka/

Please help by immediately sending a letter to the Turkmen Ambassador to the United States to express your concern about Zatoka's continued detention. (Note updated fax number below.)

On December 17, independent environmental and civil society activist Andrey Zatoka was detained in Turkmenistan, as he prepared to fly to Moscow. Zatoka is a well-known figure in the Socio-Ecological Union, an international environmental group founded in Russia and a longtime friend of Pacific Environment. Zatoka also co-chaired the Dashoguz Ecological Club in Turkmenistan. Andrei Zatoka has dual citizenship - Russian and Turkmenistani.

Zatoka was scheduled to attend a Moscow meeting with the Socio-Ecological Union on December 18. Local police reportedly detained him as he was boarding a plane. Groups including Amnesty International, Crude Accountability, Global Response, and Human Rights Watch have launched emergency campaigns demanding his immediate release. With instability in the Turkmenistan government following the death of President Niyazov, colleagues are particularly concerned about Andrey's well-being.

ADDRESS LETTER TO:

His Excellency Meret B. Orazov
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America Embassy of Turkmenistan
2207 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Fax: 206-274-4803

Dear Ambassador Orazov:

SUGGESTED POINTS:

*Express your concern at the detention of renowned and internationally respected environmentalist, Andrey Zatoka, who was detained by the authorities on December 17, 2006.

• Andrey Zatoka is a founder and member of the governing council of the International Socio-Ecological Union and a well-known biologist who has worked for the environment for over 20 years. He is the founder of the Tashauz Ecology Club, a children's environmental education club.

• Andrey Zatoka is a biologist who earned his degree from the Ural State University in Russia.

• Andrey Zatoka has participated in a wide variety of international environmental projects and is widely respected by his peers.

• The attention of the world is on Turkmenistan following the death of President Niyazov, with hope for an improved human rights situation.

• Respectfully request that the ambassador do all in his power to secure the immediate and safe release of Andrey Zatoka to his family.

SEND BY MAIL AND FAX

Thank you for taking the time to write a letter on Andrey Zatoka's behalf!

 For full press release from Crude Accountability, please click below.