Niyazov, Saparmurat Atayevich b. February 18, 1940 d. December 21, 2006 President of Turkmenistan. Originally a Soviet apparatchik, he initially came to power in 1985 as the First Secretary of the Turkmen Communist Party. After becoming President of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic in October 1990, he subsequently lead the country to its October 1991 independence and was then elected as the first President of the new independent Turkmenistan in 1992. Niyazov assumed the title of "Turkmenbashi [Head of the Turkmen] the Great" and erected thousands of...[Read More] (Bio by: Fred Beisser) Niyazov Family Mausoleum, Kipchak, Ahal, Turkmenistan Plot: Mosque of Spirituality
b. February 18, 1940 d. December 21, 2006