Turkmenistan: State Apparatus Facilitates Criminal Activity
A Nation Plagued by Corruption and Repression
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan - Turkmenistan’s notorious regime and lack of transparency have created an environment where the state apparatus has become complicit in various criminal activities.
Loose Networks and Transnational Cooperation
According to sources, loose criminal networks have been increasingly active in the country, taking advantage of the economic crisis sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. These networks are involved in:
- Drug trafficking
- Human trafficking
- Goods smuggling
- Cooperating with transnational organized crime groups
The level of violence perpetrated by these actors varies depending on the criminal market, with reports indicating medium to high-level violence in human trafficking cases.
A Lack of Independent Institutions and Effective Governance
Despite a lack of mafia-style groups since the 1990s crackdown, there are still instances of financial crimes and limited interaction between foreign and local criminal actors due to the political elite’s monopolistic control over the economy. The government has been criticized for its:
- Weak governance
- Corruption
- Widespread abuse of power
- Lack of transparency
Corrupt Sectors and Institutions
The following sectors are among those most affected by corruption:
- Education
- Health
- Customs
- Taxation
- Justice
- Security services
- Oil and gas sectors
Laws aimed at combating official corruption are not effectively enforced, while public administration relies heavily on patronage networks. There are no independent institutions tasked with combating widespread corruption, making it difficult to assess the criminal landscape in Turkmenistan.
Ineffective Countermeasures and Judicial System
The government has shown some willingness to counter cyber-dependent crimes, but its participation in international programs is largely cosmetic. While Turkmenistan has ratified treaties addressing corruption and organized crime, the implementation of its legal framework remains ineffective. The country’s:
- Criminal justice system
- Judiciary
- Courts
- Prisons
are plagued by problems, including:
- Subordination to government executives
- Judges delivering verdicts based on instructions from the presidential office
- Punishing dissent and removing potential threats
- Overcrowding and corruption among officials
Repressive Tactics and Lack of Civil Society
Law enforcement agencies in Turkmenistan are known for their repressive tactics, using:
- Arbitrary arrests
- Excessive force
- Corruption to maintain internal security
The country’s porous borders and proximity to major criminal markets make it a transit point for various illegal goods. The government has made negligible efforts to prevent organized crime and corruption, with limited awareness-raising programs targeting youth.
There are few individual activists and low levels of informal activism in Turkmenistan, making civil society virtually non-existent. Journalists and activists who dare to speak out against the regime often face:
- Attacks
- Persecution
- Coercion
International Calls for Reform
As Turkmenistan struggles to contain its criminal underworld, international organizations are urging the government to take concrete steps to address corruption, improve governance, and protect human rights.