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Turkmenistan is one of the most closed and authoritarian in the world (illustrative image, Ashgabat). Regis Gente / RFI

In Turkmenistan, in Central Asia, the former Minister of the Interior returned to state television, but this time in bad shape: handcuffed, dressed as a prisoner, he made his self-criticism. Last October, the president dismissed him for his failure to overcome the corruption that is eating away at the country. An inquiry was immediately opened concerning him, for corruption.

We had not seen Iskander Moulikov since the Turkmen President had sacked him last October, quite dramatically, during a meeting of the Security Council.

Equally theatrical was the reappearance of the former minister on state television, handcuffed, shaved head, dressed as a black prisoner, confessing in a monotonous voice have accepted bribes.

The report states that the former Minister of the Interior was sentenced to prison, the duration of which is unknown, and shows an impressive amount of bundles of euros and dollars presented as the famous pots of wine - also gold bars, watches, villas ...

Following the dismissal, the president instructed the Parliament to set up a new anti-corruption program. And there is plenty to do: the country ranks 161st out of 180 in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index.

Turkmenistan is one of the most closed and authoritarian in the world: no independent press, no opposition, and a president who, like his predecessor, has developed a cult of personality comparable to that of North Korea, for example, installing a gold statue with his effigy in the capital Ashgabat.