Memorial of Destroyed Fates: Merdan Muhammedov

Merdan Mukhamedov Merdan Mukhamedov is a Turkmen opposition activist, political émigré, blogger, and one of the co-founders of the Türkmenistan HSM YouTube channel. He became known for his political and civic activities, criticism of the authoritarian regime in Turkmenistan, and participation in protest activities organized by the Turkmen diaspora in Turkey. Merdan Mukhamedov left Turkmenistan at a young age and moved to Turkey in 2012, where he lived for more than ten years. In 2020, he joined the opposition group HSM-Türkmenistan and became one of the presenters and administrators of the organization’s YouTube and TikTok channels, appearing under the pseudonym “Kemine.” In his videos, Merdan Mukhamedov strongly criticized the Turkmen authorities, spoke about corruption, human rights violations, unlawful arrests, and torture in Turkmen prisons. He also participated in organizing protest demonstrations by the Turkmen diaspora in Turkey. According to human rights organizations, a politically motivated criminal case had already been opened against him in Turkmenistan in 2022. After his Turkmen passport expired, Turkish migration authorities refused to renew his residence permit. On June 10–11, 2024, Merdan Mukhamedov was detained in Ankara during a migration raid. Despite warnings from international human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and the Turkmen Helsinki Foundation, about the high risk of torture and political persecution, he was forcibly deported to Turkmenistan in the summer of 2024. After his deportation, Merdan Mukhamedov was taken into custody. In August 2024, a closed trial began in Ashgabat. According to independent sources, he faced serious charges, including “espionage” and “conspiracy to overthrow the government.” It was later reported that he had been sentenced to a lengthy prison term. Accurate information regarding his place of detention and health condition remains unknown. International human rights organizations consider the case of Merdan Mukhamedov to be an example of transnational repression, enforced disappearance, and political persecution for freedom of speech and opposition activities.