With the assistance of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation dual citizen of Russia and Turkmenistan managed to leave Turkmenistan for treatment abroad. On 15 July, Lyudmila Volkova left for Moscow.

Lyudmila Volkova, who was diagnosed with thyrocele and recommended treatment in Russia, fell a victim of a conflict of law. She could not leave Turkmenistan because of her Russian passport issued in 2006.

The legal status ambiguity of Russian and Turkmen dual citizens arose after Turkmenistan unilaterally pulled out of the agreement on dual citizenship.

Turkmen authorities do not recognize multiple nationality of the citizens of Turkmenistan who have received Russian citizenship after 2003. This category of persons is neither issued new foreign Turkmen passports nor Russian visa. As a result, these people cannot travel abroad.

The family of Ludmila Volkova petitioned the Institute of CIS countries in Moscow for assistance. As a result of the cooperation between the Institute of CIS countries, foreign ministries of the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan, the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia and human rights defenders in these countries, the woman was allowed to leave the country. She was also guaranteed that she would be permitted to return to Turkmenistan after treatment.