Changes in the leadership of the State Security Service were officially confirmed

The State Security Service (SSS) of Uzbekistan has officially confirmed the leadership changes reported earlier, marking a significant reshuffle in the country’s security apparatus. Lieutenant General Abdusalom Azizov, who has served as the head of the SSS since February 2019, has been dismissed and replaced by Bahodir Kurbanov, who previously held the position of Minister of Defense. Azizov has been reassigned to the Security Council under the President.

During the appointment ceremony for the new SSS chairman, Abdusalom Azizov’s contributions to the development of the state security system were highlighted. His efforts in modernizing the agency and training new personnel were particularly noted.

Bahodir Kurbanov, now the new chairman, praised Azizov’s work in transforming the SSS and expressed gratitude for his leadership. In response, Azizov affirmed his commitment to serving the nation and the President in any role assigned to him.

The official statement emphasized Azizov’s pivotal role in implementing significant reforms within the SSS, which were aimed at increasing transparency and openness within the agency.

Abdusalom Abdumavlonovich Azizov was born on January 20, 1960, in Tashkent. He graduated from the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan. His career includes notable positions such as Chairman of the Board of the National Holding Company "Uzbekneftegaz" from 2003 to 2006, General Director of JSC "Uzbekneftmahsulot" from 2006 to 2008, and Head of the Main Department of Internal Affairs of Tashkent City in 2005. Between November and December 2008, he served as Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan. From December 2008 to December 2009, he was the First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and concurrently the Vice-President of the Football Federation of Uzbekistan. From 2009 to 2017, Azizov led the Department of Internal Affairs of the Jizzakh region. He then served as Minister of Internal Affairs from January to September 2017, followed by his appointment as Minister of Defense from September 2017 to 2019. In 2017, he was awarded the military rank of Major General and promoted to Lieutenant General in 2019.

Bahodir Kurbanov was born in 1969 in the Jizzakh region. In 1990, he was admitted to the Higher Investigation School of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan, and in 1992, to the Higher School of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan. From 1994 to 1996, he worked as an investigator and then as a senior investigator in the investigation department of the Jizzakh MIA. In 1996, he became an operational officer in the Department for Combating Illegal Currency Transactions within the Department for Combating Corruption, Racketeering, and Terrorism. From 1997 to 1998, he served as an operational officer in the 1st Department of the same agency and was later appointed as a senior investigator in 1998. In 1999, he was a senior investigator in the 3rd department of this unit and also served as an investigator for the Criminal Investigation Department of the Jizzakh District Internal Affairs Department. That same year, he became Deputy Head of the 3rd Department of the regional Internal Affairs Department’s Division for Combating Corruption, Racketeering, and Terrorism. He was also the Deputy Head of the Criminal Investigation and Combating Terrorism Department of the Jizzakh Region Internal Affairs Department.

In 2002, he was appointed Head of the Jizzakh district Internal Affairs Department, and in 2005, Head of the Gallaorol district Internal Affairs Department. In 2008, he worked as First Deputy Head of the Main Department of the Patrol Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and later that year became Head of the Namangan region Internal Affairs Department. From December 24, 2013, to December 27, 2015, he served as Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs. In 2015, he was appointed Head of the Main Department of Internal Affairs of Tashkent. On January 14, 2017, he was awarded the rank of Major General. From February 12, 2018, to February 11, 2019, he served as Commander of the Tashkent Military District. Kurbanov has been serving as Minister of Defense since February 11, 2019, before his recent appointment as the Chairman of the SSS.