May 2014 Action Item
Umid Gojayev, a Christian man imprisoned in Turkmenistan, has been denied amnesty because "he reads a Bible". In 2012, Gojayev had a dispute with his neighbors over access to the well in their village, and they physically attacked Umid. While defending himself he hit one of the men on the head, resulting in his hospitalization, and the neighbor filed an official complaint with the police. Umid apologized and paid the hospital bill and as a result of their reconciliation, the neighbor dropped the charges. The police, however, chose to send his case to trial because of Umid's Christian faith, even though the neighbor withdrew the charges and none of the other men were held accountable for attacking him. Umid was sentenced to four years in Seydi labor camp, and is now refused amnesty specifically because he reads the Bible.
Encourage!
Please write an encouraging letter to Umid Gojayev:
Umid Gojayev 746222 Lebap vilayet Seydi uchr. LB-K/12 Turkmenistan
Act!
Petition the Turkmen ambassador to release Umid Gojayev:
Ambassador Meret B. Orazov
The Embassy of Turkmenistan
2207 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008