Ashgabat, August 5: Following the rumours of his death, Turkmenistan President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov on Sunday appeared on state television driving a rally car to a flaming gas crater known as Hell’s Gate. Reports of his death surfaced in media after the 62-year-old autocratic disappeared from public view in July. However, his government refuted the reports and had said that he was on vacation.

The state television on August 4, aired a report about Berdymukhamedov’s holiday. In the TV program, the Turkmenistan President was seen driving a rally car to the Hell’s Gate crater located in country's Karakum Desert. The videos of the TV show are doing rounds on social media. Turkmen Leader Quells Death Rumours with Return to TV Screens.

Video of Berdymukhamedov Driving Rally Car:

During the TV show, Berdymukhamedov was wearing a military-style outfit and a backwards-facing baseball cap. He was cheered by his subordinates who were wearing the same dress. This is not the first time that Berdymukhamedov appeared on state TV. Earlier this year, this year he appeared with his grandson in a rap music video dedicated to his horse.

Berdymukhammedov is the second president of Turkmenistan since it became independent in 1990. He is commonly referred to as Arkadag, or Protector. According to reports, he is now promoting his son Serdar as his successor.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 05, 2019 11:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).