Suspected COVID-19 outbreak reported in prison. Amid continued govt denial of COVID-19 cases, independent media RFE/RL 16 Oct reported major disease outbreak, suspected to be COVID-19, in women’s prison in northern Dashoguz region, with several inmates reportedly in critical condition. Pro-govt media outlet 25 Oct praised “effectiveness of the Turkmen model of response to the COVID-19 pandemic”.

Govt continued to deny any COVID-19 cases amid reports of outbreak, while tensions rose in Balkanabat city over cash shortage. Amid govt’s continued denial of COVID-19 outbreak inside country, independent media Radio Free Europe 3 Sept reported hospitals in capital Ashgabat were increasingly overwhelmed by rise of COVID-19 cases. In Balkanabat city (west), public anger rose over authorities’ failure to provide money for cash withdrawal machines and growing queues in front of banks; at least 200 Balkanabat residents 7 Sept reportedly marched to prosecutor’s office and Central Bank in city centre to demand solution to cash shortage; authorities next day introduced cash withdrawal coupons. NGO Human Rights Watch 23 Sept said govt inaction toward economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic has worsened pre-existing food crisis in country, urged govt to “take immediate measures to make sure that people can get adequate food”. Dozens of Turkmen citizens 1 Sept held rally in front of Turkmenistan embassy in Washington DC, U.S., demanding govt cancel plan to amend constitution initiated by President Berdymukhammedov last year. Berdymukhammedov 25 Sept signed constitutional amendment to merge parliament with People’s Council to create two-chamber institution. Human rights groups Turkmen Helsinki Foundation and Russian Memorial 7 Sept said in joint statement that police 5 Sept detained lawyer Pigambergeldy Allaberdiyev near Balkanabat for suspected links with protests abroad; national security ministry first described Allaberdiyev’s arrest as “terrorism case”, but officially arrested him on assault and hooliganism charges.

Despite continued denial of COVID-19 cases inside country, authorities continued to grapple with health concerns. While authorities continued to deny presence of COVID-19 in country, govt 6 Aug ordered civil servants to pay for mandatory COVID-19 tests. After World Health Organization (WHO) mission urged govt to “activate critical measures to prepare for COVID-19 outbreak” during July visit, President Berdymukhamedov 7 Aug agreed to second health mission and reportedly consented to submitting COVID-19 test samples after call with WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; WHO European director same day confirmed Turkmenistan govt cooperation but raised concerns about national rise in pneumonia cases attributed to COVID-19. In Lebap regional capital Turkmenabat, 120 health workers early Aug reportedly signed letter to regional govt demanding better protective equipment amid worsening health crisis, prompting authorities to threaten prosecution. Following Constitutional Court meeting on 19 Aug, parliament 22 Aug discussed amendments to constitution, reportedly aimed at establishing bicameral parliament; People’s Council to make final decision on amendment in Sept.

Govt took series of unprecedented public health measures amid mounting COVID-19 concerns. After World Health Organization (WHO) mission 6 July arrived in capital Ashgabat for ten-day visit to assess public health situation and help govt prevent COVID-19 outbreak, leader of WHO mission 15 July expressed concerns about reports of pneumonia and urged govt to act “as if coronavirus was circulating”. While govt continued to claim it had not registered any coronavirus cases, it also announced unprecedented public health measures: authorities early July imposed country-wide restrictions until 1 Aug, including closure of restaurants and malls; health ministry 12 July strongly recommended wearing of face masks, citing dust particles in air, and advised public to practice social distancing. Turkish embassy official night of 7-8 July reportedly died of heart failure in hospital in Ashgabat where he was treated for pneumonia. Amid ongoing reports of economic crisis, President Berdymukhammedov 3 July replaced minister of finance and economy in cabinet reshuffle.

Amid ongoing reports of food shortages and rising food prices, govt further tightened food rationing. In sign of further rationing measures, authorities early June reportedly introduced registration books in western Balkan province to track household purchases at state-owned stores that sell goods at subsidised prices. President Berdymukhammedov throughout month visited several provinces after wheat harvesting campaign began 5 June, including Lebap, Mary and Dashoguz. While govt continued to claim it had not registered any COVID-19 cases, authorities mid-June reportedly locked down hospitals in capital Ashgabat and Lebap regional capital Turkmenabat in east as reports surfaced of potential COVID-19 outbreak. Govt late June reportedly approved World Health Organization (WHO) mission scheduled for early July after WHO cancelled visit early May citing no official invitation.

Several hundred people gathered in rare protest mid-May in Lebap regional capital Turkmenabat in east to demand govt help after storms and heavy rains in eastern Lebap and Mary provinces late April-early May reportedly killed at least 30 people, severely damaged property and cut off utilities; protest occurred amid ongoing reports of economic crisis including food shortages and inflation. Govt continued to claim it had not registered any COVID-19 cases, 15 May approved COVID-19 prevention plan and imposed restrictions on mass gatherings. World Health Organization (WHO) early May reportedly cancelled visit to Turkmenistan after it did not receive official invitation; FM Meredov 8 May told reporters country was willing to host WHO delegation. Following ban of foreign currency cash withdrawals in April, state media 18 May announced govt will force local companies to sell all foreign currency proceeds to country’s sovereign fund.

Amid longstanding reports of food shortages, dozens of women held protest near Mary city 3 April; officials reportedly distributed bags of flour in effort to calm protesters. In official speech, President Berdymukhammedov same day referred to COVID-19 for first time publicly; urged cabinet to adopt action to alleviate its impact on economy and criticised several senior officials for mismanagement of food shortage situation. Central Bank 1 April banned withdrawal of cash in foreign currencies in response to concerns over falling global price of natural gas, while authorities in Darganata district (east) early April further reduced limits on daily cash withdrawals. Govt continued to claim it had not registered any COVID-19 cases and throughout month hosted mass public events. Media watchdog NGO Reporters Without Borders mid-April ranked Turkmenistan joint bottom in the world (with North Korea) in its annual review of press freedom.

Govt denied reports of COVID-19 cases at hospital near capital Ashgabat early March, but mid-month sealed off capital and restricted travel; reports of spike in food prices late month.

President Berdymukhammedov 3 Feb confirmed allocation of $1.5bn for import of materials and equipment needed for construction of new city in southern region Ahal. In cabinet reshuffle, Berdymukhammedov appointed his son Serdar to head Ministry of Industry and Construction; other changes included new national security minister, finance minister and deputy PM. Govt 24 Feb published draft bill on constitutional reforms amid speculation about Berdymukhammedov’s health and succession plans; amendment would create second chamber of parliament, reserving seats for former presidents in new upper chamber. RFE/RL’s Turkmen service Radio Azatlyk 10 Feb reported shepherds in eastern Turkmenistan frequently witnessing armed militants crossing from Afghanistan. U.S. Sec State Pompeo and all five Central Asian FMs met in Uzbekistan 3 Feb (see Uzbekistan).

Former interior minister Isgender Mulikov (fired by President in Oct) and ex-chief of migration service Meilis Nobatov 3 Dec made televised confessions of their involvement in corruption case. Court charged Mulikov with abuse of power and fraud, reportedly sentenced him to 20-25 years in prison. President Berdymukhammedov 13 Dec signed new anti-corruption law excluding prisoners convicted of corruption from state amnesties and pardons.