Crossroads Asia | Politics | Central Asia

Tashiev Returns to Kyrgyzstan, Questioned as a ‘Witness’

That Tashiev is being questioned as a witness, rather than detained as a culprit, is a political hedge.

Promotion material with the title of the State Tax Service’s investigation, featuring Tashiev in the middle.

Kamchybek Tashiev, who until his sudden dismissal in February was the head of Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (SCNS), returned to Kyrgyzstan on March 19. He was reportedly met at airport by his son Tai-Muras and they went, immediately, to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for questioning.

Kyrgyz media, such as 24.kg, have reported that Tashiev was being questioned as a witness in relation to two criminal cases. The authorities have not commented. 24.kg also reported that Tashiev was made to sign a non-disclosure agreement after a five-hour interrogation.

On March 20, Tashiev attended Eid al-Adha services in Bishkek. Eid al-Adha is the Muslim holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan; in Kyrgyzstan it is known as Orozo Ait.

In comments to journalists, Tashiev wished Kyrgyz peace and propserity; for Kyrgyzstan, he wshed for unity and stability.

“If I made a mistake and offended anyone, I apologize. I have forgiven everyone who spread rumors and slandered during the holy month of Orozo, for the sake of Allah. I hope they won’t do the same next time, won’t spread information that doesn’t correspond to reality. May the Almighty grant them faith. Happy holiday to everyone,” Tashiev said.

Tashiev did not speak in specifics but it’s not difficult to draw a line between his comments and recent events: the Kyrgyzneftegaz corruption allegations and the so-called “appeal of 75 people.”

Earlier this week, Tashiev’s nephew was among four people detained in relation to a criminal case involving state-owned Kyrgyzneftegaz and allegations of corruption. The State Tax Service, which kicked off the week with a video alleging corruption at Kyrgyzneftegaz and related companies run by Tashiev’s family and friends, put Tashiev front-and-center in its promotional material related to the investigation. 

Those allegations are not new. Four years ago, Temirov Live reported on much the same schemes as those exposed by the State Tax Service. Its reporting was rewarded with intense persecution by the state – specifically by Tashiev’s SCNS. Temirov Live, alongside Kloop, was declared extremist by a Kyrgyz court in October 2025.

And then there’s the “appeal of 75 people” which appears to have triggered Tashiev’s dismissal in the first place. On February 9, a public letter began circulating which urged Kyrgyzstan’s government to move the next presidential elections into 2026, rather than waiting for January 2027. The letter also highlighted the Kyrgyz government’s “wins” over the last five years; notably, Tashiev played a prominent role in all of them.

The next day Tashiev – who was in Germany for medical treatment – was summarily dismissed from his position. And then several individual who had signed the letter – former ministers, officials, and ambassadors – were arrested and the security services re-organized.

The Kyrgyz Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement at the time that the detentions related to suspicions of organizing mass riots.

The tandem between Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Tashiev – the eki dos, the “two friends” – has well and clearly ended. While Japarov said that he remained friends with Tashiev, that’s difficult to square with the events that have unfolded, from Tashiev’s dismissal – which he said came as a surprise while he was abroad – to the state’s allegations of corruption related to his wider family network. 

Across the Kyrgyz government, allies and friends of Tashiev have been purged, including the mayor of Osh, Zhenishbek Toktorbayev, whom Tashiev was seen praying beside this week. Eight members of the Kyrgyz parliament, the Zhogorku Kenesh, resigned from the body in the days after Tashiev’s dismissal, including Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu, the speaker of parliament. 

That Tashiev is being questioned as a witness, rather than detained as a culprit, is a political hedge. He is immensely popular in Kyrgyzstan, as popular as Japarov – and that’s what made him a threat.

Kyrgyzstan will hold presidential elections in January 2027. A lot can happen in the intervening 10 months.

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Kamchybek Tashiev, who until his sudden dismissal in February was the head of Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (SCNS), returned to Kyrgyzstan on March 19. He was reportedly met at airport by his son Tai-Muras and they went, immediately, to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for questioning.

Kyrgyz media, such as 24.kg, have reported that Tashiev was being questioned as a witness in relation to two criminal cases. The authorities have not commented. 24.kg also reported that Tashiev was made to sign a non-disclosure agreement after a five-hour interrogation.

On March 20, Tashiev attended Eid al-Adha services in Bishkek. Eid al-Adha is the Muslim holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan; in Kyrgyzstan it is known as Orozo Ait.

In comments to journalists, Tashiev wished Kyrgyz peace and propserity; for Kyrgyzstan, he wshed for unity and stability.

“If I made a mistake and offended anyone, I apologize. I have forgiven everyone who spread rumors and slandered during the holy month of Orozo, for the sake of Allah. I hope they won’t do the same next time, won’t spread information that doesn’t correspond to reality. May the Almighty grant them faith. Happy holiday to everyone,” Tashiev said.

Tashiev did not speak in specifics but it’s not difficult to draw a line between his comments and recent events: the Kyrgyzneftegaz corruption allegations and the so-called “appeal of 75 people.”

Earlier this week, Tashiev’s nephew was among four people detained in relation to a criminal case involving state-owned Kyrgyzneftegaz and allegations of corruption. The State Tax Service, which kicked off the week with a video alleging corruption at Kyrgyzneftegaz and related companies run by Tashiev’s family and friends, put Tashiev front-and-center in its promotional material related to the investigation. 

Those allegations are not new. Four years ago, Temirov Live reported on much the same schemes as those exposed by the State Tax Service. Its reporting was rewarded with intense persecution by the state – specifically by Tashiev’s SCNS. Temirov Live, alongside Kloop, was declared extremist by a Kyrgyz court in October 2025.

And then there’s the “appeal of 75 people” which appears to have triggered Tashiev’s dismissal in the first place. On February 9, a public letter began circulating which urged Kyrgyzstan’s government to move the next presidential elections into 2026, rather than waiting for January 2027. The letter also highlighted the Kyrgyz government’s “wins” over the last five years; notably, Tashiev played a prominent role in all of them.

The next day Tashiev – who was in Germany for medical treatment – was summarily dismissed from his position. And then several individual who had signed the letter – former ministers, officials, and ambassadors – were arrested and the security services re-organized.

The Kyrgyz Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement at the time that the detentions related to suspicions of organizing mass riots.

The tandem between Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Tashiev – the eki dos, the “two friends” – has well and clearly ended. While Japarov said that he remained friends with Tashiev, that’s difficult to square with the events that have unfolded, from Tashiev’s dismissal – which he said came as a surprise while he was abroad – to the state’s allegations of corruption related to his wider family network. 

Across the Kyrgyz government, allies and friends of Tashiev have been purged, including the mayor of Osh, Zhenishbek Toktorbayev, whom Tashiev was seen praying beside this week. Eight members of the Kyrgyz parliament, the Zhogorku Kenesh, resigned from the body in the days after Tashiev’s dismissal, including Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu, the speaker of parliament. 

That Tashiev is being questioned as a witness, rather than detained as a culprit, is a political hedge. He is immensely popular in Kyrgyzstan, as popular as Japarov – and that’s what made him a threat.

Kyrgyzstan will hold presidential elections in January 2027. A lot can happen in the intervening 10 months.

Catherine Putz is managing editor of The Diplomat.

Kyrgyzstan presidential election 2027

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