Bakyt Torobayev (left), Kanybek Dosmambetov. Photo from kenesh.kg
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov on February 24 signed decrees dismissing Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers — Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry Bakyt Torobayev and Minister of Health Kanybek Dosmambetov. Information about the dismissals was published on the presidential website.
The president promptly approved their successors in an acting capacity. Damirbek Osmonov was appointed acting Minister of Health, and Erlis Akunbekov was named acting Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet and head of the Water and Agriculture Ministry.
No official reasons for the dismissals were provided. However, the day before, an audio recording circulated on social media featuring both now-former ministers.
The leaked recording captured a conversation between Torobayev and his nephew Erkin Zholdoshaliev (Torobayev), a former member of the Jogorku Kenesh who currently resides in the United States.
Erkin told his uncle that several years ago he had planned to sell a land plot to Tai-Muras Tashiev, the son of former chairman of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) Kamchybek Tashiev. The owner initially valued the land at $1 million but ultimately received only $460,000. Moreover, according to the businessman, Tai-Muras Tashiev “seized” a factory located on the property by placing a lock on it and preventing the seller from removing metal and equipment. Erkin also claimed that a 500-square-meter store had been taken from him in a similar manner.
In the recording, the nephew complains that authorities in Kyrgyzstan allegedly intend to detain him, even though no criminal case has been opened, and says he fears returning home. Torobayev promises to help his relative and ensure that pressure against him ceases.
The conversation also mentions Health Minister Dosmambetov, who at the time of the disputed transaction was head of the SCNS department in the Jalal-Abad region. According to Zholdoshaliev, Dosmambetov participated in the alleged seizure of the factory.
Tai-Muras Tashiev commented on the situation, stating that in 2022 he purchased only land from Erkin Torobayev and that no factory existed there at the time. According to him, the seller removed his metal, after which the new owner prepared the site for the construction of a Barcelona football academy and a school. He added that during price negotiations he contacted Bakyt Torobayev to ask him to persuade his nephew to lower the price, and that a discount was eventually granted. Tashiev Jr. said he purchased the houses and store located on the property but denied any raider-style takeover, accusing Erkin Torobayev of lying.
Bakyt Torobayev later confirmed the authenticity of the recording of his conversation with his nephew but asked media outlets not to politicize the leaked dialogue.
Bakyt Torobayev previously served four terms as a deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh, was deputy speaker of parliament, and leader of the Ata-Jurt Kyrgyzstan faction. In 2009–2010, he served as Minister of Emergency Situations. In March 2022, he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, and since December 2023 had simultaneously headed the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry.
Kanybek Dosmambetov was appointed Minister of Health at the end of last year. Before that, he worked for many years in the SCNS, including as head of the anti-corruption department, deputy director of the anti-corruption service, and chief of the agency’s Sixth Directorate. For the past two years prior to his appointment to the Health Ministry, he headed the SCNS department in the Jalal-Abad region.
