Sources in Russia that stay in close contact with the family and friends of Geldy Kiarizov in Turkmenistan have been in contact with the family today and the family has not confirmed the rumours of him being tortured to death.
We are relieved that the rumours was not confirmed eventhough the situation for Geldy is very dangerous.

1. Heather12/14/2006 15:18:47

Does anyone know if Amnesty International is at all involved in this case? It just seems like exactly the sort of human rights issue their Urgent Action initiative is for. If not please let me know, so that I or someone more acquainted with the situation can write to the International Secretariate of AI, and see that this gets the necessary attention. I know that's all easier said than done, but every little bit helps, yes?
Heather

2. Todd Keith12/14/2006 15:27:52
Homepage: http://www.beknazar.com

Heather,
I contacted Amnesty when it happened. They would not help as the case wasn't "spectacular" enough. They could only help with high profile cases where they could get alot of media coverage and this was not one of them. I also contacted Human Rights Watch who told me roughly the same story....

3. Jessica D.12/14/2006 16:29:53

Would there be a way for "us"....the collective Teke enthusiasts....to make it high profile? Any way to get the story out somehow? Maybe call some of the horse magazines? (was just thinking that if there was a way to make it more high profile than it is to the agencies that can help....we might be able to get them to help?)

4. Jessica D.12/14/2006 16:37:04

I just now thought maybe if you posted the story on Chronicle of the Horse msg boards? (there are a lot of people there)....maybe someone there knows someone who knows someone who might be able to help? The posters there can be quite a force at times...many work collectively to get legislature passed (the horse protection/ban against horse slaughter in the US)...and they also work to get horses adopted out of kill pens ALL THE TIME. (just some examples)...and I know they had worked to keep certain individuals charged with killing horses for money (insurrance) from getting to be reinstated into the horse industry also...

I dunno....was just an idea....it would get the word out there at least!

Here is a link to the site if you're interested.
http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/index.php

5. Jessica12/14/2006 16:54:58

This is a very dangerous and difficult situation for Geldy and his family as Turkmenistan is under total dictatorship. At this point we do not know if the efforts made from the west to create attention has improved or worsened the situation for Geldy. It is also difficult to get accurate and reliable information on what is really happening in Geldy's case. It is one thing to work in a democracy for changes than working for changes in a totalitarian dictature, there you risk the life of yourself, your family and friends if you fail.

6. Hans-Jurg Buss12/14/2006 18:46:37

What exactly is Geldy Kiarizow officially accused and condemned for? And what is the real hidden agenda?

7. Heather12/15/2006 08:06:24

I see. So the major human rights agencies are all about helping so long as there is a good photo spread for their monthly subscriber magazine in it? That's vastly disappointing. But then as Jessica said, you can't even know if the attention would harm or help the situation. As much as I slam the US's current administration and their embarrassing domestic and international policy, situations like this do make you very grateful for freedom of speech.
I checked the AI website. They currently have TWO other "Urgent Action" requests relating to unfair arrests in Turkmenistan. I really did not know very much about the country before my interest in AT's, but they seem to be making a habit of this, yes?
Heather

8. Todd Keith12/15/2006 08:26:23
Homepage: http://www.beknazar.com

More reading here:
http://www.gundogar.org/?022000000000000000011000000

9. Jessica12/15/2006 08:30:09

Geldy was accused for stealing state funds and property during his time as Executive Director for Turkmen Atlary. This is the normal destiny for all ministers and directors under the President of Turkmenistan. At any time you might get accused for failures and you will be officially removed from your post on TV, where you also are being humiliated by crying and drugged having to admit to everything you are accused of. It sounds surreal but I saw this happen myself on Turkmen TV when I was there. Somehow though, you never think this will happen to your friends.
There is no hidden agenda only the paranoia of a dictator.

10. Hans-Jurg Buss12/15/2006 09:18:54

In another thread regarding MAAK/VNIIK I have learned that this very pleasant person Mr. Niyazow is President of MAAK, the international AT breeders association. So I think that before asking AI all members of MAAK should first take action within this organization. As I explained in that thread: I am not member of MAAK and will never enter into an organization which accepts such a man as president. And as long as this is not questioned by members of MAAK, the breed will continue to have a "credibility problem" with non AT horse people.

11. Jessica12/15/2006 10:20:45

Excellent point Hans-Jürg.

12. maria12/15/2006 14:01:42

Where do Yahoo groups get their info from??? I thought they are in touch with the family. It ought to be stopped if the information they are posting is THAT far from reality.

13. Darya12/15/2006 14:45:26
Homepage: http://www.avatstud.com

Makes me wonder sometimes... It is as if someone is trying to make some "noise" now and again, for a cause...

14. Jessica12/15/2006 15:34:16

It was horrible to read the message and wait for confirmation of the situation, luckily we could quickly thanks to friends of the family verify that the information published on the Yahoo list was false.
I think it is cruel and unethical to publish statements about someones death without having checked and double checked facts.

15. Jessica 12/15/2006 15:39:30

On the other hand, the Yahoo list is mostly fiction and seldom facts so one should always double check statements from that list.

16. Darya12/15/2006 15:55:51
Homepage: http://www.avatstud.com

I do agree it is cruel and unethical to do so, even if there is a "good" cause behind it.

17. Hans-Jurg Buss12/15/2006 18:39:26

Question to all MAAK members following this blog: Why don't you take initiative to throw out this person Niyazow from your organization? Why do you accept this situation? I do not understand.

18. shael12/16/2006 00:42:51
Homepage: http://www.shael-teke.com

Dear Hans-Jurg Buss, forget about MAAK. This organization das not work during 10 years. Niyazov das not know that he is Prezident of MAAK. Maak had three conferences by this time, and Niyazov was prezident by suggestion of Gheldy Kyarizov only with our laugh. You are very naive man. MAAK was fiction from the moment when Gheldy pressed us for Niyazov presidention.
By the way, russian breeders stoped any connection with Turkmenia (only privet) from that moment. But many forein amouters vizited this terrible regime on the next conferences when Gheldy was arrested.

19. Blanca12/16/2006 05:07:47

It■s very sad to have the country of the breed lost for the modern breeding plans...some of the best lines or individuals without proper registration while the build impressive golden hippodromes outside Ashgabat...