Turkmen police stop women drivers

By. Jane Lee

Turkman women complained that they were pulled over without any reason and polices took their driver licenses in the center of the capital Ashgabat, according to Chronicles of Turkmenistan, a prominent opposition news site, BBC News reported.

Witnesses said the government seems to ban women drivers, "The officers don't mention any ban on women drivers, but look carefully for reasons to tow the cars off to the pound." They reported up to 20 cars lined up along Independence and Neutrality Avenues at a time, according to BBC News.

The Turkmen service of US-backed Radio Liberty said a witness told him that woman drivers are forced not to drive down the main roads by police, BBC News reported. 

Chronicles of Turkmenistan also said there are complaints from women about the discrimination in driving tests, too, BBC News reported.