Turkmenistan Domestic Developments

Former Turkmen Minister, Government Critic In Custody
A former senior official in Turkmenistan who became a vocal critic of the current government has been arrested. Geldimyrat Nurmuhammedov, 59, had been Turkmenistan's minister of tourism and culture from 1992 to 1995. His relatives say that officials have formally declared that he is a drug-addict who must be isolated. Relatives say Nurmuhammedov will be transferred to a drug-rehabilitation center in the remote province of Dashoguz for up to six months. Last year, in an interview with RFE/RL, Nurmuhammedov harshly criticized Turkmenistan’s government and called the ruling Democratic Party of Turkmenistan illegal. Authorities shut down Nurmuhammedov's private business in the capital after his critical statements.
Source: Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty

Students barred from travelling to Bulgaria and St Petersburg
The Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR) received reports that at the end of August, the Migration office at Ashgabat airport denied exit to several dozen students travelling to study in Bulgaria and Saint Petersburg. Regrettably, the exact number of refusenik students is unknown, but all of them are fellows of the TASP program administered by the US Department of State (TASP) and the Open Society Institute (OSI). The reasons behind the new travel ban are unknown for the time being. The Migration office at the airport has recommended the students contact the head of the Migration service in Ashgabat.
Source: Turkmenistan Chronicles 

Turkmen Authorities to Organize Flight to Mecca
Turkmen State Airlines Turkmenkhovaiollary will pay for a flight on Boing-757 to transport 188 Turkmen pilgrims to Mecca (Saudi Arabia) for the hajj between October 17 and November 15, reported the official Turkmen source.
Source: trend.az 

Internet is not accessible for Turkmen officials
Officials from the etrap and khyakimlik’s offices in Turkmenistan cannot use or access the Internet, as regional administrations have no funds to pay for Internet services. They use fax machines to receive and send documents. If a required document has been created on a computer, staff members from the khyakimlik’s offices send it via USB sticks or CDs. They often have to cover long distances by car in order to receive or deliver information. Even in the offices of Ministries and large agencies in Ashgabat only three-to-four computers are connected to the Internet.
Source: Turkmenistan Chronicles