Former head of Turkmen Parliament is accused of taking part in assassination attempt on Saparmurat Niyazov

During its scheduled meeting on Saturday, December 14, Turkmen Parliament will discuss an issue of the former head of the Parliament, and presently its member Tagandurdy Khallyev. According to the present Chairman of Parliament Ovezgeldy Atayev, this man "happens to be among the organizers and instigators" of the assassination attempt on Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov on November 25 this year.

During the recent meeting of the Parliament, deputies "decisively and strongly denounced the former head of the Parliament in connection with his involvement in criminal activities." As stated in the Atayev's address to the President of Turkmenistan, "it's a great disgrace for a former head of Parliament, an indelible blemish on his record, unforgivable guilt before Turkmen state and people." On November 12, Tagandurdy Khallyev resigned from the post of the head of Turkmen Parliament due to health reasons, but remained a deputy.

According to Turkmen Prosecutor-General's office, the day before the assassination, "he met with the criminals and consulted with them, shamelessly promising that in case of a successful political coup he would assure the support of the deputies and fully assist the conspirators".