Turkmenia Ussr

Corruption is so rampant in the Soviet republic of Turkmenia that a powerful underworld has developed, complete with hit men, protection rackets, police payoffs and powerful mob chieftains, Pravda said. The Communist Party newspaper said, "Many highly placed police officials, and policemen of lesser ranks, were involved in all kinds of crimes and often acted as their skilled masterminds." It said 12 police officers are now on trial for extortion.

The head of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Central Asian republic of Turkmenistan, Bally Y. Yazkuliyev, has been relieved of his post for "defects in his work," Tass said on Saturday. Yazkuliyev, 57, who held what is effectively the desert republic's presidency for almost 10 years, will be replaced by one of its deputy premiers, Roza A. Bazarova.

The head of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Central Asian republic of Turkmenistan, Bally Y. Yazkuliyev, has been relieved of his post for "defects in his work," Tass said on Saturday. Yazkuliyev, 57, who held what is effectively the desert republic's presidency for almost 10 years, will be replaced by one of its deputy premiers, Roza A. Bazarova.

Corruption is so rampant in the Soviet republic of Turkmenia that a powerful underworld has developed, complete with hit men, protection rackets, police payoffs and powerful mob chieftains, Pravda said. The Communist Party newspaper said, "Many highly placed police officials, and policemen of lesser ranks, were involved in all kinds of crimes and often acted as their skilled masterminds." It said 12 police officers are now on trial for extortion.