Saparmurat Niyazov was the president of Turkmenistan who declared the country’s independence from the Soviet Union. He was born in 1940 and rose through the ranks of the Communist Party before declaring himself the leader of all Turkmens. Niyazov was known for his controversial actions, such as renaming cities and schools after himself, outlawing smoking in public places, and requiring everyone to read his book, Rukhnama. He was declared president for life in 1999 and died of a heart attack in 2006.
Saparmurat Niyazov was the president of Turkmenistan from 1990 until his death in 2006. It was under his leadership that Turkmenistan declared its freedom from the former Soviet Union.
Niyazov was born in 1940. He was orphaned at a young age after his father died fighting in World War II and the rest of his family was killed in a 1948 earthquake. Growing up in a Soviet orphanage and later living with distant relatives, he earned a strong appreciation for family. He rose through the ranks of the Communist Party before declaring himself Turkmenbashi or leader of all Turkmens.
Niyazov is certainly an interesting figure. There is no escaping his influence in Turkmenistan. He has named cities, schools, airports, days of the week, months of the year and even a meteorite after him! He has also renamed members of his family and people from Turkmenistan’s history that he considers important. The year 2003 was dedicated to his mother.
The capital, which is his birthplace, boasts a 12-metre-high golden statue that follows the path of the sun. After he quit smoking, he outlawed smoking in public places. He also outlawed beards and long hair on men. Niyazov has ordered the construction of an ice palace to celebrate his rule even though Turkmenistan is a desert country.
His book, Rukhnama, is required reading for everyone in Turkmenistan. It is an autobiographical work that also explains the history of Turkmenistan and provides spiritual guidance. It is the main textbook used in schools and appears to be meant to teach every schoolboy to admire and support the Turkmenbashi. Niyazov is also a poet and can be found reading his poems on national television.
Not all of the Turkmenbashi’s sentences are controversial. One of his first actions after being elected was to declare free water, gas and electricity for all citizens of Turkmenistan. He also focuses on the importance of celebrating Turkmen culture now that it is no longer overshadowed by Soviet influence.
In 1999, Niyazov was declared president for life by the national legislature, a status that was strengthened in 2002. Niyazov has previously said he will step down from elections in 2008 or 2010. However, some suspect a 2002 assassination attempt was really staged by the president as an excuse to get rid of the opposition forces inside the country and consolidate his leadership.
Update December 21, 2006: Niyazov died of a heart attack.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
