Turkmen RFE/RL Contributor Reinstated As Teacher

Sazak Durdymuradov

Sazak Durdymuradov, a 59-year-old history teacher, was reinstated as a teacher at his school in Baharden, outside Ashgabat. He was dismissed from his position in June 20 after he was detained and confined to a psychiatric clinic for his work with RFE/RL. He spent two weeks in the remote clinic before he was released on July 4.

Speaking to RFE/RL's Turkmen Service, Durdymuradov said that he had written a letter to the school administration demanding his rights and asking to be allowed to continue teaching at his school. "I believe there was no ground for my dismissal. My success is the result of our strong position in protecting our rights," he said.

Durdymuradov has since continued his contributions to the Turkmen Service's programs, participating in the "People's Voice" program about the draft constitution to be adopted by September.