Kamchybek Tashiyev returns to Kyrgyzstan (video)

Former head of Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (SCNS) Kamchybek Tashiyev has returned to the country, 24.kg reported.

According to reports, he arrived at Manas International Airport late at night on February 13. Media outlets said Tashiyev left the airport immediately by car, and journalists were not given an opportunity to ask questions.

Earlier, his supporters said the politician had decided to return to Kyrgyzstan despite his medical treatment not yet being fully completed.

It was previously reported that President Sadyr Japarov had dismissed Tashiyev from his post. Tashiyev later stated that he had traveled to Germany for medical treatment with the president’s permission due to health issues and that the decision to remove him from office came as a surprise.

Tashiyev’s resignation

On February 10, Tashiyev, who also served as deputy prime minister, was dismissed by presidential decree. He said the decision was made to prevent division in society. Tashiyev said he learned about the dismissal while undergoing a scheduled check-up following heart surgery in Germany.

Following his departure, First Deputy Chairman Kurbonbek Avazov, Cybersecurity Center Director Daniel Risaliyev, and Anti-Terrorism Center Director Elizar Smanov were also dismissed. Abdukarim Alimboyev was removed from his post as first deputy chairman of the SCNS and appointed head of the State Border Service, replacing him with Security Council Secretary Rustam Mamasadiqov.

Jumgalbek Shabdanbekov, who had served as deputy chairman and head of the SCNS Ninth Service since 2020, was appointed acting chairman of the SCNS.

On the same day, the Border Service was separated from the State Committee’s structure.

The Japarov–Tashiyev tandem

For reference, Kamchybek Tashiyev was appointed head of the SCNS on October 16, 2020. The decree was signed by acting President Sadyr Japarov following the events of October 5–6, 2020.

The long-standing relationship between Tashiyev and President Japarov has been widely viewed as one of the most stable and influential political alliances in the country. Their cooperation began long before they came to power, as they often found themselves on the same side of political processes in the early 2010s and shared legal challenges that strengthened their personal ties.

After the October 2020 events, their tandem took its final shape: Japarov became president and Tashiyev was appointed head of the security service, becoming a key pillar of the power structure. He oversaw high-profile cases, shaped security policy, and was widely regarded as one of the president’s closest allies.

Experts often described their alliance as the country’s strongest political duet, and any personnel changes involving Tashiyev were seen as signs of major shifts in the balance of power.

In recent months, rumors circulated in political circles that the security chief might take part in the next presidential election. Tashiyev repeatedly denied any intention to run and said he supported President Japarov.