Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has disclosed the reason behind the dismissal of Kyrgyzstan’s powerful security chief Kamchybek Tashiev, saying the decision was taken to safeguard stability and national unity.
Speaking to media, Japarov emphasized that his personal friendship with Tashiev remains unchanged, but the move was necessary to stop emerging political divisions from escalating into a wider crisis, The Caspian Post reported, citing Russian media.
“Our friendship remains. The decision to dismiss Tashiev was made for the calm of the state and harmony among people. Before relieving him of his post, I called my friend and explained the situation. With this swift decision, I also protected him,” Japarov said.
The president explained that tensions had begun rising within the Jogorku Kenesh, where certain political factions allegedly sought to split lawmakers into rival camps — “Team Tashiev” and “Team President.”
According to reports, members of parliament were pressured to declare whether they backed the security chief or the head of state — a development Japarov warned could have deepened political fractures and eventually fueled division among the broader public.
“If I had not taken rapid and decisive measures, the split could have reached people. That is why I had to make this decision,” he said.
Japarov further suggested that individuals within Tashiev’s inner circle may have influenced him in ways that necessitated urgent intervention.
Tashiev had headed Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security since October 2020 before being dismissed on February 10.
