TKM12327-240702
24 July 2002

TURKMENISTAN: Conscientious objector sent to prison again

War Resisters' International was informed today that on 2 July a Turkmenistan court sentenced Nikolai Shelekhov to a repeated prison term for his conscientious objection to military service. Nikolai Shelekhov, 21, a Jehovah's Witness, was sentenced to one and a half years imprisonment.
Nikolai Shelekhov was already sentenced to one year in prison on 21 August 2000, which was approved by an appeal court on 10 October 2000.
A judge of the President Niyazov District Court in Ashgabat ignored Nikolai Shelekhov's request for alternative civilian service, and sentenced him under Article 291-1 of the Criminal Code of Turkmenistan.

War Resisters' International calls for letters of protest to the Turkmenistan authorities, and Turkmenistan embassies abroad:
President
Saparmurad A. Niyazov
Ashgabat
Turkmenistan

War Resisters' International calls for the immediate release of Nikolai Shelekhov and all other imprisoned conscientious objectors.

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International