Saparmurat Niyazov
Saparmurad Atajevich Niyazov (born February 19, 1940) is the President of Turkmenistan.On October 22, 1993, he styled himself Turkmenbashi, which means "Leader of all Turkmens". On December 29, 1999, he was proclaimed President for Life.
Niyazov is an authoritarian leader and is well known for his massive cult of personality.
He has attempted to legitimize his authority by establishing his autobiography-cum-Turkmen historical account, the Ruhnama, as the "spiritual guidance of the nation", serving as the basis of the nation's education system, arts and literature.
After an alleged assassination attempt against him on November 25, 2002, the Turkmen authorities proceeded to massive arrests of suspected conspirators and members of their families.
Official webpage: http://www.turkmenbashi.org/External link
