RFE/RL correspondent dies in Turkmen custody

They told RFE/RL's Turkmen Service that security officials summoned them to the morgue today to identify Muradova's body. The time and circumstances of her death were not immediately clear.

Muradova, who was 58, was arrested in June along with several human rights activists on grounds that were not made public.

On August 25, a Turkmen court sentenced Muradova to six years in jail on charges of illegally possessing munitions.

Another two defendants at the trial received jail terms of six and seven years on similar charges.

Western rights organizations have said that the charges were fabricated and condemned the trial as a parody of justice.