Date of Birth: 1947, born in the village of Isric-Kara, Ilyalin district of Dashoguz region.

Biography: He graduated from Djambul Technological Institute of Service and Food Industry (1971). He was awarded a Master of Economic Sciences degree. He worked as an assistant engineer in the Bezmein cement plant, and was a concrete worker. After graduation in 1971, he held various positions in the light industry sector of the republic. From 1980, he was the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of the Light Industry Sector of the Turkmen SSR. Beginning in 1983, he was a senior lecturer, deputy head of the Office of the Council of Ministers of the Turkmen SSR. From 1986, he was the Head of the Department of Light Industry, from 1987, he was the Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Commission of the Turkmen SSR. From 1989, he was the Minister of Local Industry of the Turkmen SSR. On November 25, 1990 he became Director General of the National Republican Association “Turkmenhaly” (Turkmen carpet). From June 26, 1992 to November 2002, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. Initially, he oversaw the spheres of trade, production of consumer goods and services, cross-sectoral and international relations. Later, he was in charge of issues concerning small enterprises and businesses, and from June 2000, agriculture. Simultaneously, on December 8, 1993, he was appointed Chairman of the Turkmen-Japanese Economic Commission. At the same time from January 16, 2001 to September 10, 2010, he was the Minister of Agriculture of Turkmenistan. From November 2002 to July 2, 2005, he was the Managing Director of the Office of the President of Turkmenistan. From 2003 to July 2, 2005, he served as the Coordinator of Turkmenistan in the CIS countries. From August 15, 2003, he was also Deputy Chairman of the People’s National Council.

Saparov was relieved of his post on July 2, 2005 “for serious shortcomings in work.”

He was awarded with the honors “Garashsyz Turkmenistan Bolan Beyik soygusi perpetrate” (December 1999) and the medal “For the love of the fatherland” (October 1996).

Arrest and Conviction: Saparov was convicted July 25, 2005 by the Supreme Court of Turkmenistan in accordance with Part 1 of Articles 181, 182 n. “G,” 184, 229, part 2 p. “A,” “b,” “d,” and “h,” 4 p. “a,” 287, part 2, 4 of the Criminal Code of Turkmenistan. He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with confiscation of property. The official report mentions numerous bribes received from heads of regions, companies and Turkish firms totaling US $2.161 million, 107 kilograms of gold and silver jewelry inlaid with precious stones (total cost of US $10 million), 114 Turkmen carpets of special generation, 4 units of illegally acquired firearms and ammunition (Turkmenistan.ru, 27.07.2005, 28.07.2005). According to unconfirmed reports, in 2005 he was held in Ovan Depe, where he died at the end of October 2009. The body was released to relatives in a zinc coffin. Despite an official ban, the family opened the coffin to wash the body (Chronicles of Turkmenistan, 03.11.2009). On September 5, 2005, the website “Gundogar” stated that his foster daughter, 22-year-old Aydjemal Saparova, left the country and was allegedly hiding in one of the countries of the CIS.