Jennifer Lopez: birthday blunder in Turkmenistan

American singer apologises for lucrative gig for president accused of 'human rights abuses'

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(Image credit: 2013 AFP)

JENNIFER LOPEZ has had a short, sharp lesson in the politics of human rights after she visited Turkmenistan at the weekend to brighten up the birthday celebrations of Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.

The president of the former Soviet republic turned 56 and what better way to celebrate than by flying in 'JLO', one of the world's most alluring pop stars. The Guardian reports that the singer performed for Berdymukhamedov at the southern resort of Avaza on Saturday night, despite his reputation for "committing widespread human rights abuses".

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