PRESS RELEASE

Distorted information on the alleged illegal actions of Turkmenistan's Border services with respect to the Iranian vessel has spread in the media of Iran and some other countries in recent days.

The Turkmen side states that on March 21, 2018, the Border services of Turkmenistan, in Turkmenistan's territorial waters, 3-4 km from the coastline of Turkmenistan suppressed an attempt to smuggle a large consignment of narcotic drugs by a group of citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran that violated the State border of Turkmenistan on the motorboat.

At the time of detention, these smugglers, not submitting to the commands of the border patrol, undertook provocative acts against the Turkmen border guards, assessed as an attempt on life, which resulted in use of the forceful methods of coercion against violators in strict accordance with the legislation of Turkmenistan.

Currently, appropriate procedural measures in the connection with the case are under way within the framework of the existing mechanisms of Border Commissars meetings.

The Turkmen side, stating on the above issue, underlines that any attempts to politicize this issue, whoever they come from, will be regarded as unfriendly towards Turkmenistan and immediately refuted by the Turkmen side.

Press center

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Turkmenistan