Future Of Religious Freedom In Turkmenistan Unclear After Dictator's Death

Yesterday, the leader of Turkmenistan, dictator Saparmurat Niyazov, died. Shortly after, Forum 18 reported that it remains unclear whether Niyazov's hostility to religious freedom will continue. The late dictator had invented a religion called Ruhnama, and imposed it on the country. An exiled Protestant said that "the transition leaders have already praised Niyazov and his policies and vowed to continue them." The country's Foreign Minister and other officials have refused to comment.