Authorities in Turkmenistan’s Balkan Province have escalated their surveillance and persecution of devout Muslims. Over the past week, police and security officials have been detaining and interrogating young individuals who regularly attend mosque prayers or perform prayers at home, according to Radio Azatlyk sources.

Residents of Balkanabat, Turkmenbashi, and surrounding districts report being summoned to local government offices for questioning. These interrogations, conducted by police, the Ministry of National Security (MNB), and local religious affairs officials, allegedly focus on connections to Wahhabism and other radical ideologies.

Authorities have also been inspecting personal devices for religious content, with threats of imprisonment issued for possessing such materials. Observers liken these measures to past large-scale crackdowns on believers, signaling heightened government concerns over potential radicalization.

Additionally, reports suggest Turkmenistan is installing signal jammers along its border with Iran to block access to religious broadcasts in Turkmen from Iranian radio stations.

This latest wave of repression reflects Turkmenistan’s ongoing efforts to control religious expression under the guise of national security, drawing criticism from international human rights groups.

From my point of view, this crackdown represents a serious violation of religious freedom and individual rights. By persecuting young Muslims simply for their beliefs, the government of Turkmenistan is denying its citizens their fundamental freedoms, including the right to worship freely. Such actions are a clear breach of international human rights standards and show a growing disregard for basic civil liberties.

Ayna Matiyeva

01/25/2025