Reconstruction: How is power being redistributed in Kyrgyzstan?

In recent days, significant changes have been taking place in Kyrgyzstan’s political life. In particular, President Sadyr Japarov dismissed his close ally and friend, State Committee for National Security (SCNS) Chairman Kamchybek Tashiev. This move sparked wide discussion among political circles and the public. Tashiev was not the only official to lose his post, as Japarov initiated a series of changes within the SCNS.

Who has left?

Kamchybek Tashiev

By presidential decree, Kamchybek Tashiev was simultaneously relieved of his duties as Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and head of the State Committee for National Security. Tashiev was appointed chairman of the SCNS on October 16, 2020. During the October events that led to the removal of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, his appointment as security chief played a significant role in Sadyr Japarov’s rise to power. Since then, Tashiev had undertaken major reforms within the SCNS, expanding its influence. New buildings were constructed for the agency, modern equipment was purchased, and efforts began to recover assets previously stolen by officials, a process referred to as “kusturization.” A serious fight against crime was also launched. During his six years in office, Tashiev gained public support while also making many political enemies.

Kurbonbek Avazov

By presidential decree, Kurbonbek Avazov was dismissed from the post of First Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for National Security.

Daniyel Risaliyev

According to the decree, Risaliyev was removed from his positions as Deputy Chairman of the SCNS and Director of the Cybersecurity Coordination Center.

Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu

On February 12, Kyrgyz Parliament Speaker Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu announced that he had stepped down from his post during a parliamentary session. However, he will remain a deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh. The decision was made amid ongoing personnel changes initiated by President Sadyr Japarov. He had held the position since 2022.

Elizar Smanov

Smanov was dismissed from his positions as Deputy Chairman of the SCNS and Director of the Counterterrorism Center.

Appointments

Jumgalbek Shabdanbekov

Jumgalbek Shabdanbekov was appointed acting chairman of the State Committee for National Security, replacing Tashiev. Since 2020, he has served as head of Service No. 9 and deputy chairman of the committee. Shabdanbekov is 55 years old and received the rank of major general in 2022.

Rustam Mamasadykov

By presidential decision, Mamasadykov moved from the position of Secretary of the Security Council to First Deputy Chairman of the SCNS. He is no stranger to the agency. Mamasadykov was first appointed deputy chairman of the SCNS in 2008. He was dismissed after the April 2010 revolution, returned to the security service in 2011 to head the Counterterrorism Center, and again left the deputy chairman post in April 2018. After working for a period in the committee, he was appointed Secretary of the Security Council.

Uranbek Shodibekov

Shodibekov was appointed Deputy Chairman of the SCNS and head of the agency’s Cybersecurity Center.

Alisher Erbayev

Alisher Erbayev was appointed Deputy Chairman of the SCNS and Director of the Counterterrorism Center. He graduated in 1997 from the Russian Air Defense Military Academy with a degree in radio engineering and in 2015 from Osh State University with a law degree. From 1997 to 2013, he served in national security agencies and the financial police. After a period in business, he worked at the Kyrgyz National Electric Grid. From 2016 to 2019, he headed the Internal Security and Anti-Corruption Department of the State Customs Service. From 2021 to 2025, he served as a deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh.

Abdukarim Alimbayev

He was relieved of his post as First Deputy Chairman of the SCNS and appointed Chairman of the State Border Service, which has been removed from the committee’s structure. Abdukarim Alimbayev was born on April 19, 1973. He graduated from the Military Institute of Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee in 1995 and from the Russian Federal Security Service Military Academy in 2006. He began his career in the Border Service in 1993 and was promoted to a leadership position in 2016.

Marlen Mamataliyev

On February 12, Marlen Mamataliyev was elected Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh with the support of 77 deputies. He was the sole candidate for the position. Born on March 24, 1981, in Bishkek, he graduated from Kyrgyz Technical University’s Faculty of Information Technology and the Kyrgyz Economic University with a degree in Finance and Credit. He also studied human resource management in public service at the Civil Service College in Singapore and obtained a law degree from Kyrgyz National University. He later completed public administration training at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. From 2003 to 2006, he worked at the Social Fund and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Between 2007 and 2008, he served as an assistant to the ministers of finance and economic development and trade. In 2009, he became an adviser to the First Deputy Prime Minister.

From 2010 to 2011, he headed the secretariat of the Or-Nomus faction in parliament, and from 2011 to 2012 worked as state secretary and department head at the Ministry of Economic Regulation. In 2012, he led the real sector department of the government apparatus. Between 2013 and 2018, he worked in the private sector, including as CEO of the Asia Mall shopping and entertainment center. Since 2021, he has served as a deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh, leader of the Intimak parliamentary faction, and chairman of the Budget, Economic and Fiscal Policy Committee. In 2025, he was elected as a deputy of the eighth convocation from the No. 22 single-mandate constituency in Bishkek’s Birinchi May district. By the end of the seventh convocation, he was recorded as the deputy with the highest number of adopted laws.

Odil Orozbekov

By presidential decree, Odil Orozbekov was appointed Secretary of the Security Council. He is 47 years old and graduated from the Kyrgyz International University with a degree in diplomacy and international law, later studying at the Russian Federal Security Service Academy. From 2001 to 2017, he worked in national security agencies and later served in various positions at the SCO Secretariat until 2019. From 2023 to 2024, he worked as an expert at the Presidential Administration’s Situational Center and had been working in the department overseeing the implementation of presidential and government decisions since December last year.

Structural changes

Border Service removed from the State Security Committee

Amid ongoing political changes, President Sadyr Japarov signed a decree removing the Border Service from the State Committee for National Security, turning it into an independent state body — the State Border Service of the Kyrgyz Republic. The subordination of the Border Service has changed several times over the years. In 2012, border troops were removed from the SCNS and made an independent agency, before being transferred back to the committee in November 2020.

State Protection Service established

The president also signed a decree establishing the State Protection Service under the president, based on Service No. 9 of the SCNS. The new body will report directly to the head of state. Previously, it had been an independent unit but was incorporated into the SCNS after the 2010 revolution.

Rumors and denials

Alongside the personnel changes in the SCNS, various rumors began to circulate. Officials have sought to deny them. The committee’s press service rejected reports about the alleged detention of Bishkek department head Eldar Jakipbekov. The Interior Ministry also denied claims that its special forces regiment had been transferred under the president’s control, stating that the unit continues to operate as usual.

Jamshidbek Amirov