Öwezgeldi Ataýew (; born 1951) is a Turkmen politician. He was the chairman of the

Assembly of Turkmenistan The Assembly () is the unicameral legislature of Turkmenistan. Between March 2021 and 21 January 2023, it was the lower house of the National Council of Turkmenistan. It consists of 125 members, who are elected for five-year terms in single- ...

from 2002 to 2006. According to the

Constitution of Turkmenistan The Constitution of Turkmenistan () adopted on 18 May 1992 is the supreme law of Turkmenistan (Article 5). In its preamble, the Constitution emphasizes self-determination for the Turkmen people, as well as the rule of law and rights for citizens. ...

, he was to become the

acting president An acting president is a person who temporarily fills the role of a country's president when the incumbent president is unavailable (such as by illness or visiting abroad) or when the post is vacant (such as for death Death is the en ...

after the death of

Saparmurat Niyazov Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov (19 February 1940 – 21 December 2006) was a Turkmenistani politician who led Turkmenistan from 1985 until his death in 2006. He was the Secretary (title), first secretary of the Communist Party of Turkmenist ...

in December 2006. However, the

State Security Council of Turkmenistan The State Security Council of Turkmenistan () is an important decision-making body in the field of the defence of Turkmenistan. It is the highest decision-making body in the armed forces next to the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff, wi ...

reported that Atayev was not appointed acting president due to a

criminal case Criminal procedure is the adjudication process of the criminal law. While criminal procedure differs dramatically by jurisdiction, the process generally begins with a formal criminal charge with the person on trial either being free on bail ...

started against him. Atayev was charged with abuse of power and human rights violations.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow Gurbanguly Mälikgulyýewiç Berdimuhamedow (born 29 June 1957) is a Turkmen politician and former dentist who is currently the chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan. He previously served as the second president of Turkmenistan from ...

, who was one of several Deputy Prime Ministers and Minister of Health, succeeded Niyazov instead. According to ''

Kommersant (, , ''The Businessman'' or Commerce Man, often shortened to Ъ) is a nationally distributed daily newspaper published in Russia mostly devoted to politics and business. The TNS Media and NRS Russia certified July 2013 circulation of the daily ...

'', Atayev was arrested on 21 December 2006. Berdimuhamedow signed an order dismissing Atayev for "committing a deed incompatible with the high position entrusted to him". Atayev was accused in a statement of harassing and humiliating his daughter-in-law and driving her to attempted suicide. He was subsequently imprisoned until March 2012.https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/publications/research/2016-03-08-turkmenistan-bohr.pdf

References

1951 births People from Ashgabat Chairmen of the Assembly of Turkmenistan Living people Turkmenistan prisoners and detainees Prisoners and detainees of Turkmenistan {{Turkmenistan-politician-stub