By empty (9/14/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)

A human rights activist and journalist has died in prison in Turkmenistan, according to a rights group whose director blamed the government Thursday for what he said appeared to have been her violent death. The body of Ogulsapar Muradova had a major head injury and there was evidence of strangulation, said Aaron Rhodes, executive director of the Vienna-based International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, citing contacts in the tightly controlled Central Asian nation. \"It\'s an extremely serious crime that has taken place,\" Rhodes said.

By empty (9/13/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Following Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyp Erdogan’s invitation, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will take part in an opening ceremony of the tenth congress of Turk countries and communities’ friendship, brotherhood, and cooperation at Kemer resort area of Antalya; Azerbaijani Public television informed, referring to Azerbaijani Ambassador to Turkey Zakir Gashimov. Governmental officials, scientists, businessmen, civil society activists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Northern Cyprus, as well as from Tajikistan and Mongolia will attend the event, which will be next important step, aimed at developing closer ties between Turk countries. (Regnum).

By empty (9/13/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)

More than 40 spiritual leaders from around the world are in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, for the Congress of World and Traditional Religions. The event was organised by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, to promote security and stability through religious tolerance and understanding.Critics say it was also designed to promote Kazakhstan.