In an abrupt political shakeup, President Sadyr Japarov has removed Kamchybek Tashiev from his dual role leading the State Committee for National Security and serving as deputy head of the Cabinet of Ministers, the presidential administration confirmed on Tuesday. Three of Tashiev’s deputies were also relieved of their duties.
The president’s press secretary stated the decision was made “in the interest of the state” to “prevent a split in society, including between government structures, but on the contrary, to strengthen unity,” as reported by local outlet Kaktus.
Tashiev has not issued a public response to his dismissal.
Appointed in October 2020—shortly after Japarov’s release from prison during widespread unrest—Tashiev transformed the security service into a dominant state body, overseeing a wave of arrests targeting journalists and activists.
The ouster came as a shock given their long partnership. In a recent documentary on Japarov, Tashiev declared, “only death can separate him from his friendship with Sadyr Japarov,” insisting that their shared objectives and path were unbreakable despite any external attempts to drive them apart.
Their alliance dates back to the 2010s, forged through joint opposition work in parliament. In 2012, both were detained while attempting to scale the White House fence during a protest calling for the nationalization of the Kumtor gold mine.
Japarov was freed from prison on the night of October 5-6, 2020, by supporters including Tashiev, amid political upheaval following contested parliamentary elections.