The Norwegian Helsinki Committee is demanding the release of Turkmen dissident Gulgeldy Annaniyazov from prison.
Annaniyazov -- who has refugee status in Norway -- was found guilty of entering Turkmenistan with invalid documents and sentenced to 11 years in jail by an Ashgabat court on October 7.
Norwegian Helsinki Committee spokesman Berit Nising Lindeman told RFE/RL's Turkmen Service today that the committee had asked Turkmen officials to give a detailed explanation of the charges against Annaniyazov, his trial, and his current state of health.
He said no reply has been received.
Annaniyazov had been living in Norway as a refugee since 2002. He flew to Ashgabat this summer to visit his parents and was detained by Turkmen police.
Annaniyazov -- who has refugee status in Norway -- was found guilty of entering Turkmenistan with invalid documents and sentenced to 11 years in jail by an Ashgabat court on October 7.
Norwegian Helsinki Committee spokesman Berit Nising Lindeman told RFE/RL's Turkmen Service today that the committee had asked Turkmen officials to give a detailed explanation of the charges against Annaniyazov, his trial, and his current state of health.
He said no reply has been received.
Annaniyazov had been living in Norway as a refugee since 2002. He flew to Ashgabat this summer to visit his parents and was detained by Turkmen police.
