Öwezgeldi Ataýew

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Öwezgeldi Ataýew (born in 1951; often referred to in the Western media by his Russianized name: Овезгелды Атаев Ovezgeldy Atayev) is the former Chairman of the Assembly of Turkmenistan. According to the Constitution of Turkmenistan, he was to become the acting president after the death of Saparmurat Niyazov. However, the State Security Council of Turkmenistan reported that Ataýew was not appointed acting president due to a criminal case started against him. Ataýew was charged with abuse of power and human rights violations.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow, one of the deputy prime ministers and minister of Health, was appointed instead. According to Kommersant, Ataýew was put under arrest on 21 December 2006.^[1]. Berdimuhammedow signed an order dismissing Ataýew for "committing a deed incompatible with the high position entrusted to him". Ataýew was accused in a statement of harassing and humiliating his daughter-in-law and driving her to attempted suicide.^[2]