Rozygeldy Choliyev

Affiliated media: Blogger, Activist

Incident date: February 23, 2022

Attack type:

Pressure on a media worker via judicial and/or economic pressure on relatives and loved ones

Who attacked: Authorities

Location: Turkmenistan, Ashgabat

Additional information:

On February 21, the parents of civil activist Rozygeldy Choliyev, who has been posting videos on YouTube criticising the Turkmen leadership since 2020, were summoned to the Ashgabat police department. In the captain Movlamberdyev’s office, two men (one in civilian clothes) said that the Choliyev family with many children could receive an improved flat, but on the condition that Choliyev cease his social media activities and return to his home country. However, after Choliyev’s 62-year-old mother, who did not believe the promises, replied: «If my son is guilty of something, let him answer to the law himself», the tone of the interrogation changed dramatically. Threats and promises to take him to his home country were made. The woman became ill and had a heart attack. She was taken to the hospital by ambulance, accompanied by a police lieutenant.