Japarov links Tashiev’s dismissal to threat of division
World
The Kyrgyz president says the unexpected dismissal of his close ally was meant to stop political confrontation in parliament and the state apparatus.
President Sadyr Japarov said the decision to remove State Committee for National Security chief Kamchybek Tashiev was driven by the need to preserve national unity and prevent a split in society.
In an interview with the state news agency Kabar, Japarov said tensions began to build in parliament, where a group of lawmakers started dividing colleagues into the “general’s side” and the “president’s side.” According to him, they later began collecting signatures to trigger early elections.
The president claimed he had evidence that some deputies and civil servants were being pressured. They were allegedly told that if they refused to support a certain group, they would “have to deal with the general.”
Japarov said he acted quickly to prevent the confrontation from spreading to the state apparatus and the broader public. He added that he called Tashiev beforehand, explained the situation, and believed the decision ultimately “protected his friend.”
“The Constitution obliges the president to preserve the integrity of the state and the unity of the people. The interests of the state stand above positions and above friendship,” he said.
The president also commented on rumors about a pre-2021 election deal under which he would serve one term and a close ally would take the next. He said the question of who governs the country is decided by the people, not by a small group.
Tashiev and his deputies were dismissed on February 10. Zhumgalbek Shabdanbekov, previously a deputy head of the committee, was appointed acting chairman.
Tashiev said the news of his dismissal came as a complete surprise while he was undergoing treatment in Germany. He added that he respects the president’s decision and is proud of his service to the state.
In an interview with the state news agency Kabar, Japarov said tensions began to build in parliament, where a group of lawmakers started dividing colleagues into the “general’s side” and the “president’s side.” According to him, they later began collecting signatures to trigger early elections.
The president claimed he had evidence that some deputies and civil servants were being pressured. They were allegedly told that if they refused to support a certain group, they would “have to deal with the general.”
Japarov said he acted quickly to prevent the confrontation from spreading to the state apparatus and the broader public. He added that he called Tashiev beforehand, explained the situation, and believed the decision ultimately “protected his friend.”
“The Constitution obliges the president to preserve the integrity of the state and the unity of the people. The interests of the state stand above positions and above friendship,” he said.
The president also commented on rumors about a pre-2021 election deal under which he would serve one term and a close ally would take the next. He said the question of who governs the country is decided by the people, not by a small group.
Tashiev and his deputies were dismissed on February 10. Zhumgalbek Shabdanbekov, previously a deputy head of the committee, was appointed acting chairman.
Tashiev said the news of his dismissal came as a complete surprise while he was undergoing treatment in Germany. He added that he respects the president’s decision and is proud of his service to the state.
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