Detained RFE/RL Turkmen Correspondent Released
A Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) correspondent based in Turkmenistan has been freed after being detained by police earlier this month. Rovshen Yazmuhamedov told RFE/RL that he was released on May 22 after spending two weeks in custody. It is still unclear why he was detained in the northeastern city of Turkmenabat. Yazmuhamedov, 30, has worked for RFE/RL since September. Yazmuhamedov's relatives said the journalist was being held at a detention center run by the Interior Ministry's Directorate No. 6, which investigates organized crime and terrorism-related cases. Last week, the European Union expressed concern about his detention and urged Turkmen authorities to explain why he was being held.
Source: Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty
Ashgabat Day Established in Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan has established a new holiday – the Day of the City of Ashgabat, which will be celebrated annually on May 25. A presidential decree says that the new holiday has been established in order to promote the status of Ashgabat as a political, social, economic, scientific, educational, and cultural center of the state.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
Berdymukhamedov Receives Title of Turkmenistan’s Honorary Architect
By a resolution of Turkmenistan's Parliament, President Berdymukhamedov was awarded the honorary title "Honored Architect of Turkmenistan."
Source: gundogar.org
100 Meter Flagpole with Turkmen Flag to be Installed on Caspian Coast
A 100-meter flagpole with Turkmenistan’s state flag will be installed on the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea, at the Avaza tourist resort. Turkmenistan’s State Tourism Committee will sign a contract with a Turkish company to design and build the flag installation. The work is to begin in July of 2013 and to be completed in October of 2013.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
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