Homophobia: Turkmen delegation in Italy. Arcigay appeals to the government: "Demand accountability for Kasymberdy, the gay activist who disappeared after a police encounter."“

Bologna, November 6, 2019 An open letter was sent this morning by Arcigay to Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, marking the arrival in Italy of a Turkmenistan government delegation, hosted in Milan for an event organized by Confindustria and, according to Turkmenistan news agencies, expected in Rome for a meeting with President Sergio Mattarella. "The Turkmen government," the Italian activists demand, "should clarify the case of Kasymberdy Garayev, a young gay activist who has been missing since October 24." Human Right Watch – the letter reads – reported the disappearance of a young man in Turkmenistan after coming out online. On October 21, RFE/RL (Radio Free Europe) published an interview with a young man who, under a pseudonym, recounted the violence and abuse he had suffered at the hands of the Turkmen police because of his sexual orientation. Following the interview, Kasymberdy Garayev – the name of the young doctor featured in the interview – was identified on October 24 and summoned by the police for investigation. On October 31, in the absence of any news from the young man, RFE/RL (Radio Free Europe) published a heartbreaking video, recorded by Garayev himself shortly before going to the police, in which, fearing for his fate, he apologized to his parents. To this day, it is unknown what happened to Garayev. Turkmenistan is a country where homosexuality is still criminalized and where the most basic guarantees of the rule of law are absent; This is why we fear for the fate and safety of the young man." Arcigay therefore appeals to the Italian government to express its concern to the Turkmen delegation and ask it to account for this sinister incident.