On March 3, president Berdymukhamedov made another “personnel” decision which will further strengthen his power. During the Security Council session, he announced the dismissal of the Prosecutor General Mukhammedkuli Ogshukov and strongly criticized him.

The “sloppiness and self-interestedness” of the prosecutor’s office employees were the main reason of the uncovered shortcomings. President Berdymukhamedov personally informed members of the Security Council about it.

Prosecutor General M. Ogshukov had conceded that he was personally responsible for the shortcomings in the operations of the prosecutor’s office.

However, this apparently did not save him from being dismissed.

Ogshukov was one of the most influential Turkmen law enforcement officials.

Ogshukov had held the position since the high-profile arrest in April 2006 of his long-serving predecessor, Gurbanbibi Atajanova. In a televised confession at the time, Atajanova admitted to misappropriating 25 cars, 2,000 heads of cattle and 30,000 buckets, among other things.

Ogshukov, who had at that time been her deputy, allegedly helped uncover the scandal.
Ogshukov’s position rose after Turkmenbashi’s death. He was said to have been among those who initiated Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov’s nomination as president. It was also him that sent to prison the speaker of parliament Ovezgeldy Atayev, who according to the constitution should have become acting president. His strong position was further confirmed by the fact that he had so far weathered all purges initiated by the new leader.

Ogshukov’s career developed rapidly until tomorrow. Just one word of the president, one decree and it is over.

Ogshukov followed the footsteps of other heads of law enforcement agencies: the head of the presidential security service Akmurat Rejepov, minister of internal affairs Akmamet Rakhmanov and minister of public security Geldymukhammet Ashyrmukhammedov. All of them were dismissed by Berdymukhamedov during the past year who thus strengthened his power. The only one to still remain in his post is the defense minister Agageldy Mametgeldiyev. It’s interesting how much longer?

Chary Hojamyradov, until recently Head of the Supreme Court, was nominated as new prosecutor. Probably not for long. But that’s the sad fate of Turkmen officials.