Turkmenistan: Growing Criminal Networks Exploit Economic Crisis
As the country struggles to recover from the economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, criminal networks are increasingly exploiting the situation to further their illegal activities.
A Growing Problem
According to reports, loose criminal networks have been involved in a range of illicit activities, including:
- Drug trafficking
- Human trafficking
- Goods smuggling
These networks have been known to cooperate with transnational organized crime groups, heightening concerns over the level of violence perpetrated by these actors.
Government Response
The Turkmenistan government has acknowledged the growing problem of organized crime, but critics say that corruption and opaqueness within the administration hinder efforts to combat it effectively.
“The lack of transparency and accountability creates an environment where criminals can operate with impunity,” said a source close to the government. “It’s a challenge for us to tackle these issues when there is no independent oversight or control.”
Contributing Factors
- Weak political governance
- Government effectiveness
- Limited cooperation with international organizations
- Failure to ratify key treaties on organized crime
Geography and Border Control
Turkmenistan is a major transit point for many criminal goods due to its geographic location. The country’s extensive borders and porous border control have made it vulnerable to illegal activities, including:
- Drug trafficking
- Human trafficking
Cyber-Dependent Crimes
The government has taken some steps to address cyber-dependent crimes, but critics say that more needs to be done to combat these emerging threats.
“The government has shown political will to counter cybercrime, but we need to see more concrete action on the ground,” said a human rights activist. “Turkmenistan’s isolationism and lack of transparency only serve to exacerbate the problem.”
Economic System
The country’s economic system is centrally administered, with very tight state regulation and large-scale corruption. This has created an environment where:
- Bribery
- Nepotism
- Embezzlement are common
“The government controls all key sectors of the economy, including oil and gas, electricity, cotton production, and telecommunications,” said a business owner. “It’s difficult to operate without engaging in corrupt practices.”
Civil Society
Turkmenistan’s civil society is virtually non-existent, with very few individual activists and low levels of informal activism. The government has:
- Persecuted and coerced opposition activists living abroad
- Attacked journalists and civil society activists
“The government has made negligible efforts to prevent organized crime and corruption,” said a human rights expert. “Turkmenistan’s lack of transparency and accountability only serves to perpetuate these issues.”