The World - News from March 8, 1988

Corruption is so rampant in the Soviet republic of Turkmenia that a powerful underworld has developed, complete with hit men, protection rackets, police payoffs and powerful mob chieftains, Pravda said. The Communist Party newspaper said, “Many highly placed police officials, and policemen of lesser ranks, were involved in all kinds of crimes and often acted as their skilled masterminds.” It said 12 police officers are now on trial for extortion. Referring to the swelling bureaucracy in the Central Asian republic, it added, “Every sixth person in the republic is a hack official.”