Batyr Berdiýew

Batyr Ataýewiç Berdyýew (Russian Batyr Atajewitsch Berdijew; born October 3, 1960 in Ashgabat, Turkmen SSR at the time, now Turkmenistan ) is a former politician in Turkmenistan.

Career

Berdyýew was from 1992 to 1994 Deputy Foreign Minister. 1994 to 2000 he was ambassador to Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic as well as the OSCE. From 2000 to 2001 he was Minister of Foreign Affairs of his country. As justification for his dismissal were, inter alia, his alleged alcoholism, lack of knowledge of the Turkmen language and incompetence specified for some foreign policy issues. His successor in the Foreign Ministry went to Raşit Meredov. In 2002 Berdyýew was imprisoned and sentenced short time later because of involvement in a murder plot against President Saparmurat Niyazov to 25 years imprisonment. About his fate, there is no reliable information. From time to time rumors Berdyýew was no longer alive.

Awards

• 2000: Grand Gold Medal with Ribbon for Services to the Republic of Austria