According to CIVICUS, on October 20, 2009, noted ecologist and civil society activist, Andrey Zatoka, was detained in Dashovuz, Turkmenistan. His trial was hurriedly convened on October 29, immediately after four public holidays, which prevented international observers from attending.  Zatoka is one of the most prominent environmentalists in the former Soviet Union.  He is a founding member of the Socio-Ecological Union, and formed the Dashovuz Ecology Club, which was later denied registration and shut down in 2003.  He was previously arrested in 2006 in his hometown of Tashauz.  CIVICUS wrote a letter to the American Embassy in Turkmenistan bringing his situation to their attention and has since released a statement urging the international community to pay urgent attention to the alarming incidents of persecution of civil society activists in Eurasia.

To read about Zatoka’s detention go to: www.civicus.org/media/CIVICUS-Zatoka-letter23rd.pdf

To read about Zatoka’s trial and conviction, go to: www.civicus.org/press-release/1188