Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Justice has begun tracking former Interior Ministry officials to monitor those who have emigrated. Retired officers can only leave for medical reasons with authorization from the Ministry of Health. Travel restrictions now extend to students, mandating them to surrender their passports to prevent travel abroad. These measures aim to curb emigration and are part of wider governmental control strategies regarding citizens’ movement.
Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Justice has initiated a program to track former Interior Ministry officials who have left the country. This effort is part of a broader strategy by the government to monitor the travel capabilities of its citizens. The tracking focuses on retired law enforcement officers who served between 1991 and 2024, specifically those with ranks of major or higher, with an anticipated conclusion by the end of April 2025.
The Ministry of Justice is collaborating with various governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of National Security, the Migration Service, and the Prosecutor’s Office. The purpose is to identify retired officers who have relocated abroad, amidst emerging theories about the motivations behind this initiative, including concerns over former officers settling in foreign countries after retirement.
Particular emphasis is placed on individuals who previously held connections with Rustam Inoyatov, a significant figure in Uzbekistan’s security services. Former officers are now mandated to provide substantial reports regarding their current residences and occupations, while relatives of deceased officers are required to submit verified documentation, including death certificates and burial information.
Additionally, retired law enforcement personnel are now restricted in their travel, permitted to leave only for medical reasons, and must receive official approval from the Ministry of Health. Recent restrictions have been linked to a surge in citizen emigration as individuals seek employment opportunities or permanent residency abroad. Furthermore, some citizens have been reported to have fought in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, gaining Russian citizenship in return.
Travel limitations have extended to students as well. Reports from late 2024 indicated that those enrolling in Turkmen universities must surrender their passports to hinder overseas travel. Noncompliance can lead to students being denied admission. This policy has reportedly been in effect for two years, and passports are retained by university faculty for the duration of students’ academic programs.
Turkmen authorities have not publicly clarified the rationale behind these restrictive measures, although university professors speculate the intent is to diminish youth emigration. These protocols represent a significant escalation from previous requirements, where students would only sign receipts acknowledging possession of their passports without surrendering them directly.
In summary, Turkmenistan’s recent measures reflect an increasing effort to monitor former law enforcement officers and restrict citizens’ travel for various reasons, including prevention of emigration and military engagements abroad. The government’s heightened scrutiny of both retired officers and students illustrates a broader concern over citizen mobility and its implications for national security. The lack of official commentary, coupled with emerging theories regarding motivations, suggests a complex undercurrent guiding these initiatives.
Original Source: timesca.com
