Many of those detained are family members of those associated with Turkmenistan's opposition-in-exile. Family members have been denied access to their arrested relatives, and many have no information about their well-being or whereabouts. Other relatives have been threatened with arrest and subjected to eviction from their homes, relentless harassment and surveillance. There is little doubt that the intent is to pressure exiles to return and to compel those in custody to confess or give testimony.

Throughout the past decade the rule of law has been so thoroughly degraded in Turkmenistan that an effective investigation - ensuring due process rights - and fair trial of the perpetrators of the November 25 assassination attempt is highly unlikely. In the past the Turkmen authorities have tortured dissidents and sentenced them to long prison terms. Among them is Mukhametkuli Aimuradov, convicted in 1995 of a number of charges, including "attempted terrorism" and sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment after a reportedly unfair trial. In December 1998, an additional 18 years imprisonment was added to his sentence in connection with an alleged prison escape attempt.

Among those arrested in the post November 25 crackdown is an environmental activist, Farid Tukhbatullin, who is believed to be a prisoner of conscience and held because of his non-violent environmental advocacy.