President Sadyr Japarov has removed Kamchybek Tashiev as head of the State Committee for National Security and as deputy prime minister, signing decrees that also dismissed several senior security officials. The presidency said the move aims to prevent societal and institutional division and to strengthen unity. Tashiev, a close ally of Japarov since their 2020 rise to power, is reported to be in Germany for medical treatment. Jumgalbek Shabdanbekov was named acting security chief pending parliamentary approval.
Kyrgyz President Removes Powerful Security Chief Kamchybek Tashiev Amid Leadership Shake-Up
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov attends an informal meeting of Commonwealth of Independent States heads of state at the Igora resort in Leningrad region, Russia December 25, 2024. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS
President Sadyr Japarov has signed decrees removing Kamchybek Tashiev from his posts as head of the State Committee for National Security and as deputy prime minister, in a significant reshuffle of Kyrgyzstan's security leadership.
Details of the Dismissal
Tashiev, widely regarded as the country’s second-most powerful official and a long-standing ally of Japarov, held top security and government roles since 2020, when mass protests propelled him and Japarov into power amid accusations of election rigging. There was no immediate comment from Tashiev.
Local media quoted the president's press secretary saying the move was made "with the intention of preventing division in society, including between government agencies, but rather strengthening unity."
The presidential decrees also dismissed several senior security officials who had served under Tashiev. In a separate decree, Japarov named Jumgalbek Shabdanbekov as acting chairman of the State Committee for National Security, pending parliamentary approval, according to the presidential website.
Context and Reactions
The mountainous Central Asian republic of about 7 million people, which maintains close ties with Russia, has faced scrutiny from Western governments that allege it has become a conduit for Russian efforts to evade sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine. Supporters of Japarov and Tashiev say the duo helped end years of political instability by consolidating power and building alliances across regional elites.
Critics, however, argue that the government has cracked down on dissent and independent media in what was once considered Central Asia’s most democratic state. Analysts have described Tashiev as the domestic face of the administration, frequently appearing on state television to defend the government’s record.
Local outlets reported that Tashiev — whose power base lies in Kyrgyzstan’s historically restive southern provinces — is in Germany receiving medical treatment. Reuters reported the developments.
What Happens Next: Jumgalbek Shabdanbekov will serve as acting head of the State Committee for National Security until parliament votes to confirm him. The reshuffle could reshape Kyrgyzstan’s internal security dynamics and its relations with international partners.
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