Soltan Achilova. Photo: hronikatm.com
In Turkmenistan on November 20, independent journalist Soltan Achilova was forcibly hospitalized on the day she was scheduled to fly to Geneva, reports «Chronicle of Turkmenistan."
The 75-year-old Achilova, along with her daughter, had planned to fly to Geneva to attend a ceremony where she was to receive an international human rights award. However, at 6:30 a.m., several hours before the flight, four men in medical gowns and masks arrived at Achilova's home. They claimed suspicion of an infectious disease and insisted on urgent hospitalization. The journalist was forcibly taken to the infectious diseases hospital in Choganly, not allowed to take her phone or contact relatives. Achilova's apartment keys were confiscated, and one of the visitors menacingly remarked that she would not need keys «in another world."
It later emerged that the hospital management had received instructions the day before to clear several wards, indicating the pre-planned nature of the «operation,» notes the «Chronicle of Turkmenistan."
Achilova's daughter and son-in-law, who arrived to take her to the airport, were also sent for examination due to contact with the journalist. Currently, Soltan Achilova remains in the hospital, with doctors not disclosing when she might be allowed to return home.
ℹ️ Exactly one year ago — on November 20, 2023 — it was reported that Turkmen authorities prevented Achilova from flying by deliberately damaging her passport at the airport. After international pressure, she and her daughter were issued new documents.
The Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR) and several other human rights organizations strongly condemned the actions of Turkmen authorities aimed at preventing the independent journalist's trip. They noted that the groundless hospitalization of Achilova and her family members represents a new low in the government's campaign to suppress dissent.
Human rights advocates called on Turkmen authorities to immediately discharge them from the hospital, allow the journalist to travel abroad without hindrance, and cease persecution for her work.
