Isgender Mulikov

Mulikov was born in the city of Ashgabat in 1975. In 1996, he graduated from the Higher School of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with a degree in law. He then began working in various positions in structural divisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Until February 2009, he worked as Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs. From 27 February to May 2009, he was the head of the Police Department of Dashoguz.^[1][2] On 29 May 2009, he became the Minister of Internal Affairs by a separate decree of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, and was appointed to the special rank of lieutenant colonel of police at the same time.^[3] In November 2009, he received a severe reprimand, the first of 12 over his career.^[4] He was reappointed minister on 28 February 2012 with rank of major general. In April 2013 he was demoted to colonel for improper management of subordinate units.^[5] Mulikov's rank as a major general was subsequently restored, and he was promoted to lieutenant general of police in June 2018.^[6]

He was fired as minister of internal affairs on 1 October 2019. In dismissing Mulikov on national television, President Berdimuhamedow publicly ridiculed Mulikov, stripped him of his awards, and demoted him to the rank of major of police.^{[7][8][9][10]} That same day, Mulikov was arrested.^[11][12][13] He was convicted on 19 October,^[13] and in December sentenced to 25 years in prison for accepting bribes and expropriation of private property.^[14] His public confession of guilt was broadcast on national television on 3 December 2019.^{[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]}

In November 2020, a confiscated house believed to have belonged to Mulikov was advertised for sale by the Ashgabat mayor's office.^[24]

The following accusations were leveled publicly against Mulikov as justification for his dismissal:

• Mulikov appointed a veterinarian, Berdimyrat Berdiýew, as acting director of a prison in Ahal Province;
• A traffic police captain, Kerimguly Çaryew, was apprehended for misuse of his official vehicle, including transportation of Ashgabat municipal public utility workers;
• Traffic police inspectors were found to be corrupt, including demanding bribes and threatening to confiscate automobiles without cause, and obstructing prosecution of friends;
• An entrepreneur allegedly close to Mulikov, Çarymuhammed Kulow, was convicted of accepting unusually large bribes;
• Mulikov declined to dismiss a deputy head of the Ashgabat passport division, Didamyrat Muhammedow, who is related to Kulow.^[25]

Mulikov's personal chauffeur, Maksat Amanow, was reportedly arrested before Mulikov was. Amanow was allegedly the intermediary between Mulikov and Kulow, who in turn was allegedly responsible for managing Mulikov's business interests. These business interests reportedly included "several restaurants, cafes and stores in Ashgabat." Independent media reported confiscation of the Okean Restaurant, Ayperi Cafe, and Turkish Dishes Cafe.^[26]

An opposition newspaper reported that Mulikov was found guilty on 19 October 2019 of violating the following articles of the penal code:

• Article 181, part 2 — Misuse of official position, causing serious consequences;
• Article 181(1), part 2 — Violating the oath of office through misuse of official position, if that action was done out of greed or in other personal interests and caused significant violation of rights and freedoms of citizens, the statutory interests of society and the state;
• Article 184, part 2, subparagraphs «a», «v» и «d» — Acceptance of a bribe (repeatedly, by an official occupying a position of responsibility, in large amount);
• Article 184, part 3, paragraph «а» — Acceptance of a bribe (in unusually large amount).^[13]

Mulikov confessed on television to accepting bribes and expropriating houses, both felonies.^[27] All of Mulikov's ill-gotten properties were reportedly confiscated by the government.^[15] These included "illegally acquired residential houses, possessions in them, automobiles, and various valuables."^[22]

Mulikov was also accused privately of too close association with Kulow, who allegedly expressed intent to succeed President Berdimuhammedow during the latter's temporary disappearance from public view in 2019. This, rather than corruption, was allegedly the real reason for Mulikov's downfall.^{[12][14][28][29][30]}

• Edermenlik (Courage) Medal (2009)
• Birkemsiz gullugy üçin (For Irreproachable Service), III class (2010)
• Birkemsiz gullugy üçin (For Irreproachable Service), II class (2014)^[31]
• Commemorative Medal in Honor of 19th Anniversary of Turkmenistan Independence^[32]
• Mälikguly Berdimuhamedow Medal (2017)^[33]