But in separate televised comments, Niyazov criticized Maral Bashimova for allegedly having two husbands, including one with purported links to the country's recently sacked prosecutor-general, Gurbanbibi Atajanova.
Atajanova, who had been chief prosecutor for more than a decade, was fired earlier this week after publicly confessing to stealing state property and taking bribes.
Turkmenistan's new culture and broadcasting minister is Enebai Atayeva, a former head of the country's Trade Unions Center. A presidential decree says Atayeva has a probation period of six months and that she will not be offered a new job if she fails to perform her official duties.
RFE/RL Central Asia Report
RFE/RL Central Asia Report
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