President of Turkmenistan reshuffles security officials
Version 0 of 1. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan — The president of Turkmenistan has reshuffled senior security officials amid continued tension in neighboring Afghanistan. State media reported Wednesday that Guichgelgy Khodzhaberdiyev was fired as head of the security services, a job he has occupied since October. It said President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov also replaced the long-serving head of the state border service, Myrat Yslamov. Little information emerges from the deeply secretive energy-rich former Soviet state, but changes among senior security personnel appear to reflect recurring anxieties about public order, particularly as the economy is experiencing a slowdown. Despite concerns over unrest across its border with Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, which pursues a policy of neutrality, has rejected all international military assistance. Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |