The material is based on the report sent to the editorial office of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” by one of our readers.
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov occasionally awards senior citizens the title “Honorary elder”.The selection criteria and the nomination procedure are unknown.A reader of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” residing in Dashoguz velayat said that only wealthy residents can get a title for quite a considerable bribe: “In order to cover all expenses related to obtaining the title one needs to sell a cow and a сalf”.
The paperwork procedure is very time-consuming as candidates need to visit khyakimlik’s offices of Dashoguz velayat and Ashgabat to submit a set of documents and certified copies.
Moreover, candidates are not supposed to appear in the local administration in “inappropriate clothes” as they are obliged to wear a new don (a national gown) and telpek (a sheepskin hat).
Apart from documents, a responsible officer from the velayat khyakimlik’s office asks to pay 400 manats ($1142 at the official rate or $174 at the black market rate) for some “expenses”. Needless to say, no receipts are provided and no explanations about the expenses are given.
Those who hold the title are respected by their fellow villagers.Moreover, “Honorary elders” are entitled to perform a Hajj to Mecca at the government expense (“Chronicles of Turkmenistan” has already reported that bribes need to be paid to be able to travel), participate in major state-run events and consequently, are on close terms with the khyakim of the velayat and other higher-ranking officials who might help resolve personal problems.
The authorities also benefit from this “selection” procedure as wealthy people who can afford to pay these expenses have a high standard of living, which reduces the likelihood of inconvenient questions and problems which might be posed by them.
According to sources of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan”, 70% of the honorary elders are former law enforcement officers.