Volmuradov, Kurbangeldy

Date of Birth: 1958, born in Ashgabat.

Biography: Volmuradov graduated from the Turkmen Institute of National Economy (1990). In 1976, he worked as a technician at the local police department. From 1977-1981, he served in the Soviet Army. From 1981, he worked as an Engineer and Senior Engineer at the Goskomselhoztehniki Turkmen SSR. From 1982, he was the Senior Engineer, and Head of the Ministry of Water Resources. From 1986, he was the Chief Engineer of the department and Deputy Head of the State Agricultural Committee of the Turkmen SSR. In 1988 he became Deputy, then First Deputy General Director of Regional Trade Organization “Turkmenagropromsnab.” In 1990 he was appointed Head of Department and then Deputy Director General of RPO “Turkmenagropromtehsnab.” From 1992, he was the Deputy Chairman of the State Corporation “Turkmenselhozpromservis.” From 1993, he served as Head of Logistics Minselhozproma Turkmenistan. In 1995 he became Deputy Chairman of the Association of Production and Maintenance, “Selservis,” Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan. On April 24, 1996, he became Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Chairman of the Association of Production and Maintenance “Selservis.” In December of the same year he was appointed Acting Chairman of the Association of Joint Stock Companies on Production and Technical and Agrochemical Service of Agriculture, “Turkmenobahyzmat.” From July 16, 1998 to January 26, 1999 he served as Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources of Turkmenistan. He was also Executive Director of the State Fund for Development of Agriculture of Turkmenistan.

He was relieved of his duties for serious shortcomings in work and abuse of power.

He had been awarded medals “Ghairat,” and “For the love of the fatherland” (October 1996).

Arrest and Conviction: In November 2003 he was prosecuted for abuse of office, including involvement in the theft of more than 30 billion Manat (RIA “Novosti,” 15.11.2003). He was convicted in early March 2004 by the Ashgabat City Court. He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment (Credo.ru, 10.03.2004). According to unconfirmed reports, he was still in prison in 2012.