Is Japarov concerned? State Protection Service moved under the president

Sirgak Berdikozhoev has been appointed head of the State Protection Service under the president, the presidential press service reported.

On February 10, Sadyr Japarov signed a decree “On measures to improve the state protection system,” under which the State Protection Service under the president was established.

There is very little publicly available information about Sirgak Berdikozhoev. It is only known that he comes from the security services.

The State Protection Service was created on the basis of the Ninth Service of the State Committee for National Security and reports directly to the president. According to the decree, the head of the service is appointed and dismissed by the head of state, while deputies are appointed and dismissed upon the recommendation of the service chief.

Within the powers established by law, the service ensures the security of protected persons and facilities.

Tashiyev’s resignation

On February 11, Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Committee for National Security, Kamchybek Tashiyev, was dismissed by presidential decree signed by President Sadyr Japarov. He explained his decision as a desire “to prevent division in society.” Tashiyev said he learned of the decision while in Germany undergoing a scheduled check-up following heart surgery.

Following Tashiyev’s departure, his first deputy Kurbonbek Avazov, Cybersecurity Center Director Daniel Risaliyev, and Anti-Terrorism Center Director Elizar Smanov were also dismissed. Abdukarim Alimboyev was removed from the post of First Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for National Security and appointed Chairman of the State Border Service. He was replaced by Rustam Mamasadykov, who had been serving as Secretary of the Security Council.

Jumgalbek Shabdanbekov, who has served since 2020 as head of the Ninth Service and deputy chairman of the State Committee for National Security, was appointed acting chairman of the agency.

On the same day, the Border Service was removed from the structure of the State Committee for National Security.

The Japarov–Tashiyev tandem

For reference, Kamchybek Tashiyev was appointed Chairman of the State Committee for National Security on October 16, 2020. The decree was signed by Sadyr Japarov while serving as acting president following the events of October 5–6, 2020.

The long-standing relationship between Kamchybek Tashiyev and President Sadyr Japarov has been widely viewed as one of the country’s most stable and influential political alliances. Their cooperation began long before they came to power. In the early 2010s, they frequently found themselves on the same side of political processes and even went through a joint criminal episode in 2012, strengthening their personal ties.

After the October 2020 events, the tandem took its final shape: Sadyr Japarov assumed the presidency, while Kamchybek Tashiyev became head of the State Committee for National Security and a key figure in the power bloc. He oversaw high-profile cases, shaped security policy, and was considered one of the president’s closest and most trusted allies.

Among experts, their alliance was often described as the country’s most solid political duo, and any personnel changes involving Tashiyev were seen as a sign of significant shifts in the configuration of power.

In recent months, rumors have circulated in political circles that the security chief might participate in future presidential elections. Tashiyev has repeatedly said he does not plan to run and will support Sadyr Japarov.