Niyazov invites Russian commission to look into situation of Russians in Turkmenistan

The president of Turkmenistan has invited members of the Russian commission on the situation following the abolition of dual citizenship to visit Ashgabad and see the condition of Russians in the republic.

Speaking in the course of a working trip across the Mary velayat, Saparmurat Niyazov claimed that in Turkmenistan you will find no "hurt or pursued Russian person".

Niyazov explained the abolition in the republic of dual citizenship by the fact that in Russia the issue of internal passports is "decentralised", and this allows some criminals to buy one.

In particular, the president said earlier that participants of an attempted coup and attempt on his life of November last year included 12 men with Russian passports.

According to Niyazov, a commission specially set up under the direction of Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov will verify the legality of dual citizenship cases.

"Russia is a great country", Niyazov said, noting that Turkmenistan is prepared to co-operate with it on an equal basis.