Turkmenistan Domestic Developments

Turkmen Migrants Return Home
Over the past nine months, the number of Turkmen citizens deported from abroad has more than doubled. Every month, Turkey alone deports more than 150 Turkmen citizens who enter the country illegally, do not work, and have no money to live on. Due to the increased number of deportations of Turkmen citizens from Turkey, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, and other countries, Turkmen law enforcement bodies has increased control over those trying to exit the country. Migration services update their lists as those who are deported back to Turkmenistan are placed in a special register and have their passports stamped with a note saying that they are prohibited from leaving the country. However, for a certain amount of money, passport issuing authorities will give clean documents.
Source: centrasia.ru 

President of Turkmenistan Visits State Migration Service
President Berdymukhamedov visited the new administrative building of the State Migration Service (SMS) that re-opened in the center of Ashgabat after a major renovation. The Turkmen President was briefed on the services provided by the SMS on issues such as citizenship, and the receiving and renewal of passports. He also spoke with several visitors. The President also inspected the department for registration, visas, and permits and visited the central office of the service where he was briefed on the working procedures of the operative-duty department in charge of processing information received through wireless and video connections with international migration services. Berdymukhamedov gave managers specific instructions to improve the work of the SMS and train its staff.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru 

Turkmen Oil and Gas Minister Reprimanded
President Berdymukhamedov has reprimanded Acting Minister of Oil and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources Kakageldi Abdyllayev for “unsatisfactory performance of his duties” and for “shortcomings in his work.”
Source: trend.az 

No Plane Tickets from Turkmenistan to Russia Available till End of October
There are no longer any crowds or disorderly lines by the Russian Embassy in Ashgabat. The seasonal boom has subsided, the Embassy’s employees worked hard to restore order, and tickets to Russia are not available until the end of October – these are the reasons why it has become quieter near the Embassy.
Source: Turkmenistan Chronicles

Police Tried to Break Into Human Rights Defender’s Home
On September 23, Turkmen police and officers from the Ashgabat Mayor’s office tried to break into the apartment of human rights defender, Natalia Shabunts, after which she could no longer be reached. Shabunts refused to have the windows in her house replaced by the cheap poor quality plastic ones that are now compulsory in her neighborhood. The Mayor ordered the replacement of old windows.. At first, when she refused to have her windows changed, the electricity in her home was switched off. Subsequently, the police broke in and threatened to arrest her for refusing to obey the authorities.
Source: Turkmenistan Chronicles

US Embassy Supported English Language Program Closed in Turkmenistan
The popular English language program «Hello America!» supported by the US Embassy has been running for five years in Ashgabat. In early September, at the instructions of the Turkmen authorities, the program shut down. The program «Hello America!» hired teachers from the US and was the only course which offered classes for students of mixed age groups. Schoolchildren, students, and even retirees studied there.
Source: Turkmenistan Chronicles

Turkmen Authorities Continue Practice of Forced Participation in Mass events
On September 1, for the celebrations dedicated to the opening of the new Oil and Gas Institute, Turkmen authorities forcibly convened nearly 3,000 employees of the oil and gas sector, students, and schoolchildren. Children had to come to the venue by 4am and stay there until 12.30. They were not allowed to bring water. Because of the long hours of standing under the scorching sun, many children had nosebleeds or fainted. Many brave children went around neighboring residential buildings, rang doorbells and asked if they could drink some water or use the toilet. After the festivities, around 1 pm, one could see many smartly dressed children with very tired faces buying big bottles of water and drinking them up on the spot.
Source: Turkmenistan Chronicles

Berdymukhamedov Receives 10 Dan Karate Diploma
President Berdimuhamedov received the Executive Chairman of the World Traditional Fudokan Shotokan Karate Do Federation (WTFSKF), Iliya Yorga, in Ashgabat. Yorga arrived to present the Diploma of Honorable Owner of the 10th Dan (perfection level in karate and judo) to the Turkmen leader.
Source: Turkmenistan.gov.tm 

Berdymukhamedov Attended Football Tournament Opening
On September 21, President Berdymukhamedov attended the opening of the international football tournament for the Cup of the President of Turkmenistan, held in the Ashgabat stadium.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru 

Berdymukhamedov Unhappy with Cotton Gathering Campaign
President Berdymukhamedov expressed his dissatisfaction with the current cotton harvest and demanded an increase in the volume, the state information service reported. “Speaking about Turkmenistan’s agricultural development and having pointed to a number of significant flaws in organizing the cotton gathering campaign, the President ordered to take appropriate measures, increase the harvest, and finish it in time without losses,” said the report.
Source: trend.az 

Berdymukhamedov Unhappy with Slow Speed of Caspian Port Modernization, Maritime Transport Head Reprimanded
During a working meeting, President Berdymukhamedov expressed dissatisfaction with the slow speed of progress on projects outlined in the general plan for the development of the Turkmenbashi international seaport and the national merchant fleet slated for completion by 2020, Turkmenistan’s government reported. In particular, he criticized efforts to modernize the port’s infrastructure and the renewal of the fleet. Berdymukhamedov ordered that appropriate measures be taken to increase “the attractiveness and competitiveness of the port of Turkmenbashi, and to purchase vessels for international export, import and transit of goods, passenger traffic increase, and the development of tourism," said the report.

President Berdymukhamedov severely reprimanded the Chairman of the State Service of Maritime and River Transport of Turkmenistan, Meylis Mutdikov, for unsatisfactory performance of his duties and deficiencies in his work.
Sources: trend.az, Turkmenistan.ru