Admin l Wednesday, May 17, 2017
TURKMENISTAN – Jehovah’s Witnesses in Turkmenistan have expressed gratitude to the aithorities for release of Mansur Masharipov, one of their members from prison.
They are however concerned about the heavy-handed actions that Turkmenistan uses to prevent the Witnesses from freely exercising their religion.
They have also intensified efforts for the release of Bahram Hemdemov, another member.
Hememov is now beginning the third year of his imprisonment in the Seydi prison camp for leading a group of Witnesses in peaceful worship services at his home.
Mansur Masharipov was released May 12, 2017 by authorities in Turkmenistan.
Earlier, Mr. Masharipov refused military service as a conscientious objector. In May 2004, the Dashoguz Court sentenced him to 18 months in the Seydi labor camp, a prison infamous for abuse, deprivation, and disease.
“His health suffered, although he was released early because of a special amnesty in May 2005. In July 2014, police burst into his home, searched it, and seized his religious literature.
“After suffering repeated beatings, torture, and threats while in police custody, Mr. Masharipov fled his detention and remained in hiding until he was apprehended on June 30, 2016.
