Japarov orders state protection for Tashiev

Despite his resignation, Kamchybek Tashiev will continue to receive state protection. This was announced by Sirgak Berdikozhoev, head of the State Security Service under the President.

Berdikozhoev commented on concerns raised by citizens on social media regarding Tashiev’s safety. 

According to the press center of the State Committee for National Security, citing Berdikozhoev, the matter is being reviewed by the relevant state bodies.

“President Sadyr Japarov has issued the necessary instructions. Kamchybek Tashiev was previously a protected person and will continue to receive personal security measures in accordance with established procedures,” the service chief said.

Tashiev is currently in Germany. He said he learned of his resignation while there and complained that he was not given the opportunity to say goodbye to personnel and thank them personally.

Tashiev’s resignation

Yesterday, February 11, Kamchybek Tashiev, head of the State Committee for National Security and deputy prime minister of Kyrgyzstan, was dismissed by presidential decree. He said the decision was motivated by a desire to avoid division in society and added that he learned of the dismissal while undergoing a routine medical check-up in Germany following heart surgery.

Following Tashiev’s dismissal, First Deputy Chairman Kurbonbek Avazov, Cybersecurity Center Director Daniel Risaliyev, and Anti-Terrorism Center Director Elizar Smanov were also removed from their posts. Abdukarim Alimboyev was dismissed as first deputy chairman of the State Committee for National Security and appointed head of the State Border Service, while Rustam Mamasadykov, formerly secretary of the Security Council, took his place.

Jumgalbek Shabdanbekov, who has served since 2020 as head of Service No. 9 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 separated from the committee, and a new State Guard Service directly subordinated to the president was established on the basis of Service No. 9. Sirgak Berdikozhoev was appointed head of the new State Guard Service.

The Japarov–Tashiev tandem

Kamchybek Tashiev was appointed head of the State Committee for National Security on October 16, 2020. The decree was signed by Sadyr Japarov, who was then acting president following the events of October 5–6, 2020.

The long-standing relationship between Kamchybek Tashiev and President Sadyr Japarov has often been described as one of the most stable and influential political alliances in the country. 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 also went through a joint criminal case in 2012, which strengthened their personal ties.

After the events of October 2020, the tandem took its final shape: Sadyr Japarov became president, while Kamchybek Tashiev was appointed head of the security service and became a key pillar of the power bloc. He oversaw high-profile cases, shaped security policy, and was widely considered one of the president’s closest allies.

Among experts, their alliance was often described as the country’s strongest political duet, and any кадров changes around Tashiev were viewed as a sign of significant shifts in the balance of power.

Recently, rumors circulated in political circles that the security chief might participate in future presidential elections. Tashiev repeatedly said he had no intention of running for president and would support Sadyr Japarov.