Kyrgyzstan power rift: Ex-security chief Tashiev charged in alleged coup plot
Kyrgyzstan’s political landscape has been shaken by a dramatic rupture at the highest levels of power, as longtime presidential ally Kamchybek Tashiev faces serious criminal charges tied to an alleged attempt to seize power by force. The accusations mark a striking reversal in fortunes for a man once widely regarded as the second most powerful figure in the country and a pillar of President Sadyr Japarov’s administration.
According to reports from independent Kyrgyz outlet Kaktus Media, authorities have formally charged Tashiev with abuse of office and plotting a violent power grab. The charges, if substantiated, could carry significant prison terms and signal one of the most consequential political prosecutions in Kyrgyzstan since the current leadership came to power in 2020.
Tashiev, who previously headed the powerful State Committee for National Security (GKNB), has denied all allegations. Through his lawyer, Ikramidin Aitkulov, he maintains that the case is unfounded and politically motivated. As a precautionary measure, a court has imposed a travel ban on the former security chief while investigations proceed. In a public statement circulated via his associate Otkurbek Rakhmanov, Tashiev urged his supporters to remain calm and avoid any form of protest or unrest.
“I have the opportunity to fully defend myself in this criminal case, and, God willing, I will be acquitted on all charges,” Tashiev said, projecting confidence in the judicial process despite the gravity of the accusations.
The Kyrgyz government has yet to release an official, detailed statement outlining the specifics of the case, leaving many questions unanswered about the evidence underpinning the charges. Nonetheless, the timing and context of the prosecution have fueled widespread speculation about internal divisions within Kyrgyzstan’s ruling elite.
Tashiev’s........
