Turkmenistan: Notorious Drugs Trafficker Dies in Custody

A woman in Turkmenistan who authorities depicted as a major drug trafficker has died in custody under mysterious circumstances.

An analysis posted on the Turkmen opposition website Chrono-tm.org hinted that the death of 48-year-old Rahatay Razzakova was not accidental, or from natural causes. Authorities may have killed her in custody to prevent her from implicating others in trafficking activities. A source quoted by the site indicated that Razzakova could have implicated dozens of individuals, including high ranking officials, in Turkmenistan's drugs trade. "Many prosecutors and police shook with fear that a wave of revelations would expose them," a source told the news site on June 25.

Officials allege that Razzakova died from heart failure, the report adds. Officials accused Razzakova of bringing "large quantities" of heroin into Turkmenistan since 2004, according to a report posted on the semi-official Turkmenistan.ru website.