Öwezgeldi Ataýew
Öwezgeldi Ataýew was Chairman of the Assembly of Turkmenistan from 2002 to 2006. According to the Constitution of Turkmenistan, he was to become the acting president after the death of Saparmurat Niyazov in December 2006. 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 Berdimuhamedow, who was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health, succeeded Niyazov instead. According to Kommersant, Ataýew was put under arrest on 21 December 2006. Berdimuhamedow 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.
