Kyrgyz authorities have charged Kamchybek Tashiev, the former head of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB), with abuse of office and the violent seizure of power, according to a report Wednesday by independent outlet Kaktus Media. Citing Tashiev's defense attorney, Ikramidin Aitkulov, the report noted that the ex-official maintains his innocence and has been placed under a court-ordered travel ban as a preventive measure.
Tashiev confirmed that a criminal case was opened against him, though he appealed to his supporters to remain calm and refrain from taking any action.
“I have the opportunity to fully defend myself in this criminal case, and, God willing, I will be acquitted on all charges,” he said in a statement published by his close supporter Otkurbek Rakhmanov on Facebook.
Government officials have not yet issued a formal comment on the proceedings, and specific details regarding the investigation remain undisclosed.
The charges follow the unexpected dismissal of Tashiev from the GKNB in early February, while he was undergoing medical treatment in Germany. His removal triggered a broader restructuring of both the GKNB and parliament.
The dismissal followed the emergence of the “Letter of 75,” an open appeal signed by former officials and politicians to the president and speaker of parliament calling for early presidential elections. Several signatories were subsequently detained by authorities.
Since Tashiev assumed leadership of the GKNB in October 2020, the security service emerged as the nation’s most powerful government institution. Frequently described as the "second person" in the country, Tashiev’s influence was often viewed as equal to that of President Sadyr Japarov.
In a recent interview with Kaktus Media, Japarov stated that the investigation and subsequent trial would determine the extent of his former ally’s involvement in the alleged plot.
“Since coming to power, I have repeatedly said the concepts of 'friend,' 'relative,' or 'close person' do not exist for me—the interests of the state and the people always come first,” Japarov said. “If the law is violated, no one will escape responsibility.”
The current charges mark a stark departure from the long-standing political partnership between Japarov and Tashiev, which dates back to the early 2010s. In 2012, they were detained after attempting to climb the White House fence during a rally calling for the nationalization of Kyrgyzstan’s Kumtor gold deposit. Japarov was later freed from prison in October 2020 by supporters, including Tashiev, amid protests following the parliamentary elections.
Despite the political fallout, Japarov maintained in February that they would "remain friends" following Tashiev’s removal from public office. Tashiev himself has frequently stated since 2020 that "only death" could separate his friendship with the president.
