Saparmurat Nijasov

Saparmurat Nijasov was a Turkmen politician who served as the President of Turkmenistan from 1990 until his death in 2006. He was a key figure in the country's authoritarian government and was known for his flamboyant and self-aggrandizing style. Nijasov was born in 1940 in the village of Mary, Turkmenistan. He studied law at the University of Moscow and later became a lawyer in Turkmenistan. Nijasov rose to power in the 1980s and became the leader of the Turkmenistan Communist Party. He was elected President in 1990 and remained in office until his death in 2006. Nijasov was known for his authoritarian style and his suppression of opposition. He was also known for his lavish lifestyle and his love of luxury. Nijasov died in 2006 after a heart attack. He was succeeded by his half-brother, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.