Turkmen Embassy Protest In Paris

Police patrol outside the Turkmen Embassy in Paris. - photo by Ahto Lobajkas About 20 protesters forced their way into the Turkmen embassy in Paris, demanding information about the fate of Turkmen journalists imprisoned or killed for their views. The demonstrators demanded to speak with either the Turkmen ambassador or the foreign minister, who is in Paris for a Central Asia-European Union forum. French police declined to get involved, saying the embassy building is Turkmen territory and police do not have right to enter. French diplomatic security officers negotiated with the protesters to end the standoff, which ended peacefully.

About 20 activists from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) begin their demonstration outside the Turkmen Embassy. - photo by Ahto Lobjakas About 20 protesters forced their way into the Turkmen embassy in Paris, demanding information about the fate of Turkmen journalists imprisoned or killed for their views. The demonstrators demanded to speak with either the Turkmen ambassador or the foreign minister, who is in Paris for a Central Asia-European Union forum. French police declined to get involved, saying the embassy building is Turkmen territory and police do not have right to enter. French diplomatic security officers negotiated with the protesters to end the standoff, which ended peacefully.

The protesters unfurled a large banner that read "Turkmenistan: Deathly Silence." - photo by Ahto Lobajkas About 20 protesters forced their way into the Turkmen embassy in Paris, demanding information about the fate of Turkmen journalists imprisoned or killed for their views. The demonstrators demanded to speak with either the Turkmen ambassador or the foreign minister, who is in Paris for a Central Asia-European Union forum. French police declined to get involved, saying the embassy building is Turkmen territory and police do not have right to enter. French diplomatic security officers negotiated with the protesters to end the standoff, which ended peacefully.

Then the protesters forced their way into the embassy itself and demanded to speak with the Turkmen ambassador. - photo by Ahto Lobjakas About 20 protesters forced their way into the Turkmen embassy in Paris, demanding information about the fate of Turkmen journalists imprisoned or killed for their views. The demonstrators demanded to speak with either the Turkmen ambassador or the foreign minister, who is in Paris for a Central Asia-European Union forum. French police declined to get involved, saying the embassy building is Turkmen territory and police do not have right to enter. French diplomatic security officers negotiated with the protesters to end the standoff, which ended peacefully.

The activists occupied the embassy and put up their posters next to a portrait of President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov. - photo by Ahto Lobjakas About 20 protesters forced their way into the Turkmen embassy in Paris, demanding information about the fate of Turkmen journalists imprisoned or killed for their views. The demonstrators demanded to speak with either the Turkmen ambassador or the foreign minister, who is in Paris for a Central Asia-European Union forum. French police declined to get involved, saying the embassy building is Turkmen territory and police do not have right to enter. French diplomatic security officers negotiated with the protesters to end the standoff, which ended peacefully.

Annadurdy Hadjiev (right), brother of Ogulsapar Muradova, who died in police custody, with a Turkmen diplomat. - photo by Ahto Lobjakas About 20 protesters forced their way into the Turkmen embassy in Paris, demanding information about the fate of Turkmen journalists imprisoned or killed for their views. The demonstrators demanded to speak with either the Turkmen ambassador or the foreign minister, who is in Paris for a Central Asia-European Union forum. French police declined to get involved, saying the embassy building is Turkmen territory and police do not have right to enter. French diplomatic security officers negotiated with the protesters to end the standoff, which ended peacefully.