Kamchybek Tashiev. Photo: aki.kg.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has dismissed Kamchybek Tashiev as chairman of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB), also stripping him of his post as deputy prime minister. The announcement was published on the president’s website.
The decree signed by Japarov is said to comply with Clause 4, Part 1, Article 70 and Article 71 of the Kyrgyz Constitution. No reasons for Tashiev’s dismissal were given.
Later the same day, the presidential website reported that Zhumgalbek Shabdanbekov had been appointed acting chairman of the GKNB. His candidacy must now be approved by the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament).
The presidential press service subsequently published Japarov’s explanation of the decision.
“First of all, I made this decision in the interests of our state, in order to prevent a split in society, including between state structures, and, on the contrary, to strengthen unity,” Japarov said.
Media outlets also reported the dismissal of three of Tashiev’s deputies. Daniyel Rysaliev, director of the Cybersecurity Coordination Center; Kurvanbek Avazov, first deputy chairman; and Elizar Smanov, director of the Antiterrorism Center, all lost their posts.
ℹ️ Kamchybek Tashiev was confirmed as head of the security service in October 2020 by a decree signed by then acting president Sadyr Japarov. The two politicians repeatedly took a common position in public debates, and a shared criminal case in 2012 reportedly strengthened their personal ties.
After the events of October 2020, when Japarov came to power, analysts began speaking of a political tandem. Tashiev ultimately received the key post of deputy prime minister and GKNB chairman, overseeing high-profile criminal cases and serving as one of the president’s closest associates.
ℹ️ Zhumgalbek Shabdanbekov was born on September 22, 1970. Before his appointment as acting chairman, he served as deputy head of the GKNB and chief of the agency’s 9th Service. He holds the rank of major general.
