Bishkek, Jan. 15, 2018 / Kabar/. From the beginning of January 2018 the police have been detaining fortune tellers, or “palchi” as they are popularly called, in Turkmenistan’s capital and in the provinces, Chronicles of Turkmenistan reported.
Correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” report that detainees are brought to police stations where a report accusing them of some administrative offence is drawn up and a fine of 100 manats ($28,5 or about $10 at the “black market” rate) is imposed.
Palchis are witches, engaged in fortune telling, casting an evil spell, love binding or some other magic-related rituals. Such occult services are quite popular with the residents of Turkmenistan. In some cases even the clergy are involved in these activities despite the fact that it is forbidden by religion.
The reason behind the unexpected clamp-down campaign initiated by the police, according to a government official and a source at “Chronicles of Turkmenistan”, is that law-enforcement officers have been charged with the task of “replenishing the budget by any means”.
According to the source, this explains the increasing number of fines imposed on car owners, the requirement to re-sit the driving test for females, and the persecution of fortune tellers.
Now the road police stop even administrative vehicles with government number plates and demand that a trip ticket is provided listing the surnames of passengers employed by this organization. If a driver fails to present one, a fine is levied.
Let us recall that in June 2017 Berdymukhammedov demanded that the heads of regions and khyakims find their own funds to pay the salary of public sector employees. A proposal was put forward to save funds by downsizing public sector organizations and to replenish the budget by imposing fines on legal entities and individuals at every given opportunity.
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