The New Year incidents in Lebap
On New Year’s Eve three people died and 25 were injured in an explosion of home-made fireworks in the village of Gushchular (formerly, the poultry farm) in Lebap velayat.
Sparks from the fire which residents had made to keep warm spread to material used for firecrackers and fireworks. A mixture of calcium carbide and aluminium powder was packed into the cylinder of a used fire extinguisher. According to another version, an intoxicated person threw the fire extinguisher into the fire.
An investigation is being carried out by regional offices of the National Security Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the public prosecutor’s office.
Three individuals are currently being held in the NSM regional office.
Investigating officers are interviewing eye witnesses as well as those who sustained injuries. Twelve people are reported to be in critical condition in healthcare institutions. However, with the permission of chief physicians some of the injured have been questioned by staff of the public prosecutor’s office.
Сriminal charges have been initiated based on four articles: 105. Causing death by negligence; 107. Intentionally inflicting grievous bodily harm; 287. Illegal acquisition, sale, storage, transportation and carrying of firearms and ammunition, explosives or explosive devices; 288. Illicit manufacturing of firearms.
Moreover, the NSM officers are trying to identify any links between those accountable for the incident and foreign-based civil and political activists. In particular, law enforcement officers are investigating whether the perpetrators have relatives who regularly keep in touch with activists.
Radio “Azatlyk” also reported the incident.
In July 2021 three people died as a result of a gas explosion in a four-storey residential house in Turkmenabad.
On New Year’s Eve another tragic incident occurred in the region. A 36 year old mother of three children, residing in the district of Khimik, the city of Turkmenabat, set herself on fire.
Being regularly abused and beaten by her spouse who had been convicted twice of criminal offences, the woman could take no more, poured petrol over herself and set herself on fire.
According to neighbours, she had repeatedly contacted the police but her complaints were ignored.
Regional executives of the NSM and the Interior Ministry of Lebap velayat were severely reprimanded by federal ministers on 2 January, 2022 for lack of control over the performance of their subordinates.
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