Guidance

Information pack for British prisoners in Turkmenistan

Updated 28 July 2023

Introduction

Who we are

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO):

The FCDO is represented overseas by its Embassies and Consulates (High Commissions in Commonwealth Countries). Both employ consular officers, and one of their duties is to provide help and advice to any British national who gets into difficulty in a foreign country.

About the Embassy

We are impartial, we are not here to judge you. We aim to make sure that you are treated properly and fairly in accordance with local prison regulations, and that you are treated no less favourably than other prisoners.

We can answer questions about your welfare and about prison regulations but you must ask your lawyer or the court about legal matters. The attached list of lawyers is provided by the British Embassy for your convenience, but neither His Majesty’s Government, nor any official of the Consulate, take any responsibility for the competence or probity of any firm/advocate on the list or for the consequence of any legal action initiated or advice given.

We cannot get you out of prison, pay fines or stand bail or interfere with local judicial procedures to get you out of prison nor secure you an earlier trial date; we cannot investigate a crime.

We have tried to make sure that the information in this booklet is accurate and up to date, but the British Embassy cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information. If in doubt contact a lawyer.

Our consular representatives

To be appointed, HM Consul, Email: John.Hamliton@fcdo.gov.uk

Amangul Orazova, Pro Consul, Email: Amangul.Orazova@fcdo.gov.uk

Contact information

301-308 Office Building
Ak Altyn Hotel
Ashgabat 744001
Turkmenistan

Telephone: (993 12) 363462/63/64/66

Fax: (993 12) 363465

Email address: Feedback.Consular.Services@fcdo.gov.uk

Website: www.gov.uk/government/world/turkmenistan

Working days & office hours

Monday – Thursday 09:00 - 17:30

Friday 09:00 – 15:30

First steps

Telling the embassy

As soon as a British national is arrested or detained in Turkmenistan, the Turkmen authorities should immediately notify the nearest British Mission. Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations requires those foreign nationals who are arrested or detained be given notice without delay of their right to have their embassy or consulate notified of that of that arrest.

The notice to the Embassy can be as simple as a fax, giving the person’s name, the place of arrest, and if possible, something about the reason for the arrest or detention. Unfortunately, we are frequently not informed within 24 hours. It is essential therefore that you ask for the British Embassy to be informed as soon as possible after your arrest. You may also be able to make a phone call to the Embassy or to family (with a covering charge). It is your right to do so.

Telling your family

For reasons of confidentiality we are not permitted to tell anyone that you have been detained or what the charges are without your permission.

However, should you wish to inform your family, we can make contact with them through our colleagues in the FCDO in London. We can give your family or next of kin advice on prison procedure, regulations, and how you are doing. We can also pass on any messages from you.

What the consulate will do

We aim to contact you 24 hours after we learn of your arrest and visit you within 48 hours; after this we aim to visit you every quarter. During our routine visits you will have the opportunity to discuss any health issues, security concerns, your treatment in prison and any other general issues that you wish to raise with our consular staff. At each consular visit, our staff will complete a “Visit Report Form”. If there is any information that you would prefer not to disclose to a next of kin you should let us know during the visit.

If appropriate, we will consider approaching the local authorities if you are not treated in line with internationally-accepted standards.

Informing the authorities in the UK

You should be aware that if you have been convicted for certain serious offences, such as sexual assault or drugs trafficking, we are obliged to inform the UK police. It is therefore possible that information about this offence may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check were carried out by a prospective employer.

Visits

Arranging a visit: family and friends

It is a general rule that in a pre-trial detention centre visits are allowed only upon authorization of an investigative authority that has sanctioned the pre-trial detention.

When in a prison only close family are permitted to visit (parents, children and siblings). Closed visits are where prisoner and visitor sit either side of a glass window and speak to each other on the phone. Open visits are done in the lawyers’ rooms where the prisoner and visitor can sit at opposite sides of a table.

An appointed lawyer can be in charge with organising a visit of the family.

Visitors are required to apply in person (or via the lawyer) to the investigative authority or public prosecutor in advance of the visit along with the below documents:

• petition letter to the investigative authority or public prosecutor
• photocopy of passport
• document showing the relationship between the prisoner and visitor

Visitors must show their passport and the permission approved by the investigative authority or prosecutor in charge when they arrive at the prison. These are held by the prison and the passport is returned at the end of the visit. Visitors will be searched before entering the prison.

Number of visits allowed

Frequency of prison visits depends on specific rules in a certain prison, its specific regime type, Article a prisoner was charged against and even his behaviour in prison. In general it happens not more frequently than once in months.

Consular visits

We hope to visit you every 6 months. You will be called to the prison’s ‘lawyers’ rooms during a Consular visit.

What visitors can bring

Any unprohibited items, such as food, clothes, books, magazines or tobacco stuff can be brought to prisoners. Other items such as alcohol drinks or mobiles are strictly prohibited. All bags and parcels will be searched before entry and authorities have the right to withhold items they deem to be unacceptable.

Prison conditions and services

Arrival at prison

Upon arrival you will be placed temporarily in the admittance cell. There will be 2 weeks quarantine and your medical condition will be checked. You will receive general information about prison rules and regulations. It is likely that this information will be available in Russian or Turkmen language only. Within a few days the Prison Board will decide which cell is best suited for you and you will be moved to your permanent cell following the Board’s decision.

Receiving money

Prisoners say that money is vital inside the prison. In Turkmen prisons you pay for everything other than the absolute basics. However, we strongly advise prisoners not to make it evident if they have access to regular funds (keep cash deliveries to a minimum, advise visitors/family not to send or deliver expensive gifts or large parcels). Foreign prisoners are always considered to be rich and as a result they are sometimes targeted by other inmates within the prison as a good source of funds and therefore they could become victims of theft and extortion, or targeted by drug abusers. It is also possible for friends and family to transfer money directly to the prison or through the FCDO in London to avoid paying bank charges (on smaller transfers).

Working or studying in prison?

Foreign nationals in prison in Turkmenistan usually can work or study. Occasionally, they can be engaged in cleaning and cooking at prison.

Medical and dental treatment

In the larger prisons, there is a health service under the authority of a practitioner. This service has an infirmary where basic medical treatment can be given, a dental treatment unit, a dentist and adequate staff. Daily examinations, vaccinations and urgent dental care of the prisoners as well as examinations of newly arrived prisoners in the institution are carried out by this service.

If you need medical or dental treatment you should ask for an appointment to see the prison doctor or dentist. You write a request letter which is collected by prison wardens and passed to the medical division of the prison. Depending on number of patients and the urgency of the situation, prisoners may be assisted the same day or after 2-3 days.

Basic medical attention is free of charge. It is unlikely that you will be treated by an English-speaking doctor. If you have a long-standing medical problem and have received treatment for in the UK, it may be useful if you have your medical records, or at least a report, sent from your doctor in the UK. Your UK doctor can send the report, via the Consulate, addressed to you.

Food and diet

Prison food is free but very basic. You will need funds to pay for supplements to your diet such as tea, coffee, sugar, fruit, sweets etc which can be bought from the prison shop.

Mail and parcels

Friends/family can send mail/parcels directly to the prison. In some prisons it is known to take a long time to receive the mail/parcel. If necessary, Consular staff may deliver vital mail or parcels (such as necessary clothing) from family/friends to the prison during routine visits. The consulate is not able to forward mail on your behalf back to UK. All letters are opened, and checked by prison staff before they are given to prisoners.

Telephone calls

Usually there is weekly or monthly access to a payphone. How frequently it will be permitted by prison authorities depends on each prison’s rules and regulations, behaviour of a prisoner, his article of crime etc. Telephone calls may be tapped the prison authorities. You might be only allowed to call immediate family or the Embassy.

Leisure and entertainment

The larger prisons may have a library.

Drugs

All arriving prisoners are seen by the prison doctor or psychologist. Any prisoners that have a drug addiction are monitored by the psychologist to ensure they are able to recover suitably.

Making a complaint about mistreatment

If you have been tortured or mistreated, please inform Consular staff as soon as it is safe for you to do so. We will then do our best to visit you; to check on your welfare; discuss the allegations; and inform you of any local complaints procedures and supportive organisations that you may wish to consider. With your permission, and where appropriate, we may also be able to raise your allegations of torture and/or mistreatment with the authorities.

The Turkmen judicial system

Differences between the British and Turkmen legal systems

On the face of it there are many similarities between the British and Turkmen legal systems. For example, prisoners are presumed innocent until proven guilty, they have a right to legal representative, an interpreter, a fair trial and appeal. However there are fundamental differences. For example, there is no jury system and judicial processes are not always correctly followed.

Turkmenistan judicial system for proceedings in criminal cases has several levels: local courts (in particular – district and city courts); regional courts (and that of the city of Ashgabat); and the Supreme Court of Turkmenistan). Local lawyers can charge outrageous sums of money, make grand promises and deliver very little. The system is also notoriously corrupt.

Remember, you should never sign anything you cannot read. If you find yourself under pressure to sign, ask to speak to the British Embassy.

What happens when you are arrested

Arrest is one of the measures of restraint and is applied if there are grounds to believe that a suspected person would escape investigation or court or hinder examination of case before court, or would continue acts of crime, and also for execution of a sentence of a court. Therefore, if such person, this means that his/her freedom (of action, movement) is temporarily restrained, as the arrested person is held in a detention facility.

If you are arrested at the airport you will initially spend some time in a police cell at the airport. Police should read the charges and your rights. Whilst you are there police will usually gather evidence and question you in the presence of a translator. You will be taken from the airport to cells at Police Headquarters, where a police or prosecutorial investigator will start the first phase of investigation.

Whether arrested at the airport or elsewhere, you will usually remain in a police cell for a day or two (official time is 24 hours) before your case is taken to the prosecutor. At this point, depending on the evidence, the prosecutor decides either for arrest or release. If the decision is ‘arrest’ you are taken to prison to await your court hearing.

The court hearing date is usually 3-6 months after the prosecutor’s first decision. In the police cells and in prison you will probably share a cell with several other people. You may have access to your belongings, but this depends on whether the police consider them as evidence. If considered as evidence you will not be allowed to keep your possessions. Your passport and other identification will be taken away and kept by the prison authorities in your file.

The arrest procedure

Arrest is one of the measures of restraint and is applied if there are grounds to believe that a suspected person would escape investigation or court or hinder examination of case before court, or would continue acts of crime, and also for execution of a sentence of a court. Therefore, if such person, this means that his/her freedom (of action, movement) is temporarily restrained, as the arrested person is held in a detention facility.

Criminal procedures code article 154: pre-trial detention

Pre-trial detention (arrest) is applied only upon sanction of a prosecutor and only in respect of persons accused (suspected) of commitment of such crimes for which the law provides imprisonment exceeding 2 years. In exceptional cases, arrest may be used in other instances.

A prosecutor must consider a decree on sanctioning arrest within 48 hours from the time of the receipt of notification of the arrest from the investigative authority, consider all case papers, interrogate the accused (suspected) person and gave a sanction for arrest or reject such sanction.

The decree with the prosecutor’s sanction of the arrest or with a note refusing the decree of arrest must be forwarded to the interrogation officer, investigator and the accused (suspected) person and shall be performed immediately. The Ordinance and materials should be submitted to the prosecutor not later than within 24 hours after the person in question was physically arrested.

The investigative authority is obliged to notify relatives of the suspect about the arrest within 24 hours. If the detainee is a foreign citizen, the embassy, consulate or other representative office of his/her state must be notified immediately (as soon as practically possible). In exceptional cases, such notice may be delayed for a period not exceeding 10 days (except for instances with minors).

Length of remand in custody

It is general rule that a term of arrest in the course of pre-trial proceedings may not exceed 2 months. However, a term of arrest may be extended in certain circumstances and may, as a maximum, last for 18 months.

Criminal procedures Code Article 158: duration of pre-trial detention

1. pre-trial detention during the investigation of criminal cases cannot exceed two months.

2. if there is no reason to change or cancel this restraining measure, the said term can be extended by the prosecutor of a region (or city with the status equivalent to a region) or by the prosecutor’s deputies up to 6 months from the day of placing in the pre-trial detention. Further extension of the pre-trial detention term may be effected only in case of the particular complex nature of a criminal case by the Prosecutor-General of Turkmenistan and his/her Deputies up to one year from the day of placing in the pre-trial detention

3. extension of the pre-trial detention for more than a year may be effected in exceptional cases and only in respect of persons accused of having committed severe and particularly severe crimes. Such extension may be affected by the Prosecutor-General of Turkmenistan up to 1.5 year. Further extension of the pre-trial detention term is not permitted and the accused persons who are kept in the pre-trial detention must be immediately released

After charging

You will be moved to a pre-trial detention centre to await trial.

Bail

The legislation contains a provision on bail. Bail may be in the form of money and other valuables to be deposited by a suspected (accused) person or another person or entity with the investigative authority or court as security for performance by the suspected (accused) person of his/her duties, for example, a duty of appearance following a request of an official in charge of the criminal case.

The amount of bail is determined taking into account the gravity of accusation, the suspected (accused) person’s identity and property status. Bail as a restraining measure may be effected by the investigative authority with the permission of a prosecutor.

An amount of bail may not be less than 50-fold minimum monthly wage that makes in total TMT 15,000 (approx. $ 4,285 at the current exchange rate), given the minimum monthly wage currently fixed for criminal cases in the amount of TMT 300.

We have no information of whether bail has been ever granted to anyone so far. It seems bail has never been implemented in practice.

Legal assistance

Consular staff cannot give legal advice but they can provide you with a list of lawyers, all of whom speak English. You may choose to appoint a lawyer to represent you; a list of lawyers in your area is included in this information pack. The British Consulate cannot pay legal fees or guarantee to a lawyer that you will pay them.

If you do not have funds to hire a lawyer yourself, the court must appoint one. State appointed lawyers are free of charge but they rarely speak English. As in any country, some lawyers are better than others (paying a large fee does not guarantee that you will get a good lawyer). If you decide to pay for a lawyer, it may be possible to agree a flat fee for the whole case before they begin work so that you do not find yourself facing ‘extra expenses’.

Trial

In the process of a trial, a court investigation is carried out, at which the court hears to the views of all participants in the process (prosecution, defence, person on trial, person affected, witnesses), examines expert evidence, material evidence, pronounces records and other documents. After that, the court passes to judicial pleadings. In particular, those are speeches of the prosecuting attorney, the person affected (the victim), the person on trial and the defence attorney. After that, the court calls for the last plea of the person on trial. At the close, a sentence is signed and announced.

The court explains to the convicted (acquitted) person and other participants of the trial the procedure and timing for appeal against the sentence and also other rights.

It must be explained to the acquitted person that he/she has the right to recovery for harm caused by illegal detention, holding him/her as accused person, application of a measure of restraint, illegal bringing to trial, and also it must be explained the procedure for exercising such right.

No later than five days after announcement of a sentence, a copy thereof must be served to a convicted or acquitted person, defence attorney and prosecuting attorney. Within the same deadline, a copy of the sentence must be served to the person affected, civil claimant, civil defendant and their attorneys, if the applications from such persons were received by the court.

The court session is managed by a chairperson, who may, if some specific facts are found in the course of judicial investigation, expedite the case for further investigation or close the case. Therefore, there may be more than one hearing. The judge may ask for a second hearing if s/he decides that more evidence is required. Sometimes lawyers ask for a second hearing if they need more time to work on the case.

The trial will be heard in Turkmen. The Court appoints and pays for an interpreter. Consular staff cannot act as interpreters. Consular officers check before the hearing if a lawyer and an interpreter are appointed. Consular Officers usually do not attend the hearings

Sentences

A sentence is given after the final court hearing by the judge.

Criminal code article 43: the concept and purposes of punishment

1. punishment is retribution for a crime committed. As a measure of state coercion, punishment imposed pursuant to a court’s sentence shall apply to a person who was found guilty in the commission of a crime, and it shall consist of imprisonment or restriction of the rights and freedoms of that person which are stipulated by the law
2. punishment shall apply for the purpose of restoration of social justice, as well as correction of a given convict, and prevention of the commission of new crimes

Criminal code article 44: types of punishment

There are the following types of punishment:

• imposition of the duty to make amends for the harm caused
• fine
• deprivation of the right to hold a certain office, or to engage in certain activity
• deprivation of State awards, military or other ranks
• correctional works
• imposition of the duty to reside in a certain area
• confiscation of property
• restriction of freedom
• imprisonment

Military personnel may be punished by limitation in military service and detention in a disciplinary military unit.

Criminal proceedings with regard to foreigners and stateless persons are conducted in accordance with the civil procedure legislation of Turkmenistan. Specifics of criminal proceedings against or with the involvement of persons enjoying diplomatic or other privileges and immunities established by international treaties to which Turkmenistan is a party, are determined under Chapter 50 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of Turkmenistan.

We would like to draw your attention to the fact that we are not experts in criminal law and criminal procedure law of Turkmenistan, also that we cannot act for anyone in such cases. This is the area of advocacy activity, which requires an advocate’s licence. The above information is only a review of legislation and should not be treated as instructions.

Appeals

Lawyers, on behalf of their client, have a right to appeal against the final decision within ten working days. It is common practice to appeal to make sure that the sentence is reviewed by a higher court. All appeal applications are submitted to higher level courts up to Ashgabat (capital city of Turkmenistan) to the Supreme Court.

The appeal process is rather fast (a few weeks up to a few months) and delays in finalising the sentence are rather seldom. Prisoners have a right to withdraw the appeal if they wish.

Court sentences, which did not enter into legal force, may be appealed against and protested by the parties through the cassation appeal procedure. Cassation appeals and protests are lodged though a court which issued the sentence. Cassation appeals and protests against a sentence of the court of first instance may be lodged through an appeal procedure within 10 days of the announcement of the sentence. A convicted person who is in custody may do this within 10 days after being served a copy of the sentence. Lodging of an appeal or protest suspends the execution of a sentence.

Court sentences, which entered into legal force, may be appealed against and protested by the parties through the supervisory review procedure.

Reduction of sentences

The judge may decide to make deductions from the sentence for the good behaviour of the prisoner.

Early release

In Turkmenistan, the law makes a provision for the early release of prisoners serving a sentence. The early release on parole may be affected by a court of justice following a joint petition of the penitentiary authority and public prosecutor, provided:

• you have served a half of your sentence term, if the sentence was passed for the crime of slight or medium gravity or
• you have served two-thirds of your sentence term, if the sentence was passed for the crime of heavy gravity
• you have served three-fourths of your sentence term, if the sentence was passed for the crime of particularly heavy gravity

For your benefit under this provision it is important that your conduct whilst in prison is good. At the same time, you should also be aware that the release on parole does not apply to a person who was sentenced for having committed a crime of particularly heavy gravity in the past and who has again committed a crime of heavy gravity or particularly heavy gravity or a crime in the condition of particularly dangerous recidivism.

Clemency or pardon

Pardons are regularly granted by the President of Turkmenistan on the occasions of important national holidays, such as Day of Revival, Unity and Poetry of Magtymguly Fragi (18 May), Independence Day (27 September), Neutrality Day (12 December), etc. At the same time, please, note that crimes considered as affecting the core values and conscience of society, national security and public order (e.g. rape, child abuse, premeditated murder, trafficking in weapons, espionage, high treason, etc.) are not subject to Pardon.

Financial penalties

Financial penalties form part of the sentence given. Financial penalties are not usually large amounts.

Criminal procedures code article 47: fine

1. a fine is a monetary penalty imposed within the limits stipulated by the present Code, in an amount corresponding to a certain quantity of average monthly wages as established by the legislation of Turkmenistan as of the day of the imposition of punishment
2. a fine shall be fixed in the amount of five up to two hundred average monthly wages
3. the amount of a fine shall be determined by a court of justice subject to the gravity of a crime committed and property status of a convict
4. a fine as an additional type of punishment may be imposed only if it is envisaged as an additional type of punishment in a clause that provides for liability for a respective crime
5. in case of malignant evasion from the payment of a fine which was imposed as a principal type of punishment by a court of justice, it may be replaced by a court of justice with those types of punishment that are mentioned in a respective article or respective paragraph of an article of the Special Part of the present Code
6. a fine as a type of punishment shall not be imposed upon persons who do not have their own income as well as upon military personnel who have been drafted for military service.

Transfer to another prison in Turkmenistan

Yes, but only when there are exceptional compassionate, medical or administrative reasons for doing so. Local prison directors must authorise the transfer. If you have been convicted you will be allocated to a prison to serve your sentence. If you are interested in a transfer please speak to your consulate who can raise your request in writing with the prison authorities.

Transfer to a UK a prison

The transfer of a foreign national sentenced in Turkmenistan to a respective foreign State shall be regulated by the legislation of Turkmenistan and an international treaty of Turkmenistan with such a foreign State. There is no Prison Transfer Agreement signed between Turkmenistan and the United Kingdom.

At the same time, the Code of Criminal Procedure of Turkmenistan contains a general clause which says that that procedural action can be also done on the basis of ad hoc mutual agreement between the competent authorities of Turkmenistan and that of a foreign State. Therefore, it seems that the transfer of a prisoner from Turkmenistan might be possible as a result of bilateral negotiations with the Turkmen authorities on a case-by-case basis. However, we do not have information of whether such a scenario has ever been successfully implemented in practice.

Procedures for release and deportation

If a released prisoner does not have a valid travel document, the Consulate can issue a travel document. The prisoner must pay a fee for the travel document, as well as for the flight. Also, a released prisoner must get an exit Turkmen visa or a deportation document from the Immigration police. If a former prisoner does not have sufficient funds for the required documents, Consular Representatives will contact family/friends in the UK to ask for a money transfer.  

Prisoners Abroad

Since 1978 the charity Prisoners Abroad has offered practical support and advice to British citizens imprisoned overseas. It is the only UK charity providing this service and it is available to all, whether guilty or innocent, convicted or on remand. Prisoners Abroad is concerned with your health and welfare, both during your imprisonment and also on your return to the UK, through their resettlement service (if you have registered whilst in prison). They can also provide support and advice to your family during your imprisonment. In order to access any services, prisoners must first register with Prisoners Abroad by signing and returning their authorisation form.

Once you seek help from Prisoners Abroad, the Prisoner & Family Support Service will be your point of contact for advice and information. The type of assistance they can offer will vary from country to country, but generally they can provide you with information, in English, on:

• your rights as a prisoner and issues that may affect you such as health or transfer to the UK
• obtaining magazines, newspapers, books and the regular Prisoners Abroad newsletter
• writing to a pen pal
• learning the language of your country of imprisonment
• translation of documents
• grants for food if you are in a developing country and don’t have funds from other sources
• grants for essential medicines and toiletries if you don’t have funds from other sources
• preparing for release
• help for your loved ones, including information, family support groups and assistance with the cost of visiting

Prisoners Abroad
89 – 93 Fonthill Road
London N4 3JH
UK

Telephone: 00 44 (0)20 7561 6820 or, for your relatives in the UK, Freephone 0808 172 0098 (Mondays to Fridays 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, UK time)

Email: info@prisonersabroad.org.uk Website: www.prisonersabroad.org.uk

Glossary of terms

English	Russian
Arrest	Arest, zaklyucheniye pod strazhu
Arrestee	Arestovanny, zaklyuchennyi pod strazhu
Accused person, defendant	Podozrevayemy, obvinyayemyi, otvetchik
Border guards	Pogranichniki, ofitsery Pogranichnoy sluzhby
Case	Delo
City court	Gorsud
Code of Criminal Procedure	Ugolovno-protsessualny kodeks
Court, trial	Sud
Court’s decision	Prigovor suda
Convict	Osuzhdyonny
Court venue	Yurisdiktsiya suda
Court-appointed attorney	Gosudarstvenny zashchitnik
Criminal Code	Ugolovny kodeks
Customs officials	Predstaviteli tamozhni
Custodian of legal records	Secretar suda
Defendant	Otvetchik
Detention	Zaderzhaniye
Detainee	Zaderzhanny
District court	Rayonny sud
Inquiry stage of First Stage of Investigation	Doznaniye
Investigation	SledstviyeI
Investigation period extension	Prodleniye sroka sledstviya
Indictment	Obvinitelny act
Judge	Sud’ya
Plaintiff	Istets
Police	Politsiya
Prosecutor	Prokuror
Prosecutor’s office	Prokuratura
Preliminary investigation	Predvaritelnoye sledstviye
Private attorney	Chastny advokat
Search	Obysk
State prosecutor	Gosudarstvenny obvinitel
Suspect	Obvinyayemy, podozrevayemyi
Transcript	Protocol
Translator, interpreter	Perevodchik
Trial	Sudebnoye zasedaniye, sud
To postpone trial	Otlozhit sudebnoye zasedaniye
Victim, the aggrieved party	Zhertva, postradavshiy
Witness	Svidetel
Witness unable to appear at trial	Neyavka svidetelya

Annexes

Annex 1: List of English-speaking lawyers

Annex 2: List of private translators/interpreters

Annex 3: FCO leaflet: In prison abroad

Annex 4: Prisoners Abroad authorisation form

Annex 5: Prisoners Abroad’s general leaflet

Annex 6: Fair Trials International questionnaire and leaflets

Disclaimer

This booklet was compiled by the Consular Section, British Embassy Office Ashgabat. It is revised on a regular basis.

If any of the information contained in this booklet is incorrect, please draw inaccuracies to our attention so that we can make amendments.

The British Embassy in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan is not accountable for the information provided in this booklet. Local proceedings are subject to change at any time.