• KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00199 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09166 0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28530 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00199 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09166 0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28530 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00199 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09166 0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28530 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00199 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09166 0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28530 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00199 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09166 0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28530 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00199 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09166 0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28530 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00199 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09166 0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28530 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00199 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09166 0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28530 -0.14%
19 February 2025

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 277

Fake Nephew of Sadyr Japarov Detained in Kyrgyzstan

A man posing as an adviser and relative of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has been detained for attempting to seize a coal deposit worth approximately 50 million KGS ($572,000), the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) reported.  According to security officials, the suspect falsely claimed to be a presidential adviser and Japarov’s "jeen" (nephew). He allegedly demanded that the mine be transferred to a foreign company, threatening the owner with arrest and citing supposed connections within law enforcement. He also claimed to have personal ties to the country’s leadership, using this assertion to pressure his target. The SCNS launched an investigation after receiving a complaint from a citizen who reported that an individual, along with an accomplice, was attempting to take over a coal deposit by exploiting the president’s name. Authorities confirmed that the suspects had no actual connection to Japarov or his family. Both individuals were arrested and placed in the SCNS pre-trial detention center. Investigators are now looking into the potential involvement of additional accomplices and are examining whether the detainees have committed similar crimes. This is not the first case of someone misusing presidential ties for personal gain. In the summer of 2024, media reports surfaced about the arrest of Ulan Japarov, an actual nephew of the president.  According to reports, he allegedly accepted more than $100,000 in exchange for promising to secure an appointment as a presidential plenipotentiary representative in one of Kyrgyzstan’s regions. However, when he failed to deliver on his promise, he was arrested by the SCNS. He was later released under house arrest. 

Japarov Backs Elon Musk’s Call to Shut Down Radio Liberty

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has expressed support for Elon Musk’s initiative to close U.S.-funded media outlets Voice of America and Radio Liberty. In an interview with the state news agency Kabar, Japarov suggested that Azattyk, the Kyrgyz branch of Radio Liberty, was no longer relevant in the digital age. “Twenty or thirty years ago, everyone waited for Azattyk, listened to it, believed it - because there was no internet or smartphones. Now, people do not need information from Azattyk. Everyone gets their news online. Besides, our people have learned to analyze information and not believe everything,” Japarov said. Azattyk’s Legal Battles in Kyrgyzstan Japarov accused Radio Liberty’s Kyrgyz service of frequently spreading unverified and harmful information. He noted that when state authorities took legal action, Azattyk journalists often removed the disputed material. In 2022, a Kyrgyz court suspended Azattyk’s license over its coverage of border clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. “If you sue them, they start shouting to the whole world: ‘Freedom of speech is dead in our country.’ Is this normal? Is spreading misleading information or manipulating the news freedom of speech? We should not confuse permissiveness with free speech or human rights. That’s why Trump and Musk’s decision should be supported,” Japarov said. At a national assembly in Bishkek last December, Japarov suggested that the U.S. State Department should provide funding directly to the Kyrgyz government, promising that Kyrgyzstan would then ensure democracy and human rights at the highest level. Political Analysts Weigh In Political analyst Bakyt Baketaev told The Times of Central Asia that while Radio Liberty – Azattyk is widely listened to in Kyrgyzstan, this does not necessarily mean broad public support for its narratives. “They mix solid journalism with unverified reports. They frequently take negative stories from the opposition - sometimes deliberately disrupting stability. Naturally, this affects the authorities’ perception of the outlet,” Baketaev said. He added that Azattyk’s closure would have a significant impact on pro-Western perspectives in Kyrgyzstan. “Modern geopolitics has shown that democracy, free speech, and human rights cannot be introduced overnight in other countries. Afghanistan is a clear example of this. Democratic values should be developed in coordination with the state,” Baketaev said. Despite the criticism, Baketaev acknowledged that Radio Liberty had successfully collaborated with the Kyrgyz government on ecology, public health, and women's rights issues.

Kyrgyzstan Proposes Salary Cuts for Underperforming Officials

The Kyrgyz presidential administration is developing new mechanisms to penalize officials for repeated disciplinary offenses, including salary reductions and forfeiture of bonuses. The initiative, aimed at improving accountability in the civil service, was announced by Azamat Osmonov, Head of the Department of Control of Execution of Decisions of the President and Cabinet of Ministers. According to Osmonov, 56 civil servants were disciplined in 2024 for misconduct. Among them: 7 officials, including akims (local governors), their deputies, and senior government officials, were dismissed. 27 officials, including one minister, received reprimands. 22 officials faced additional disciplinary actions. The presidential administration and the Cabinet of Ministers are set to convene a board meeting to review the performance of state agency heads for 2024. “Unfortunately, current regulations allow the same official to be reprimanded repeatedly without serious consequences. We intend to change this practice: if an official has already been disciplined, a repeated offense should lead to dismissal,” Osmonov stated. In addition to stricter dismissal policies, the government is considering financial penalties as an alternative punishment. “We are introducing the monetization of disciplinary measures: after receiving a reprimand, an official will be ineligible for bonuses, and their salary will be reduced. This should create additional motivation to comply with discipline,” Osmonov explained. The proposed mechanism is currently under development and will be integrated into the Code of Administrative Violations. Kyrgyzstan already enforces financial penalties for civil servants who fail to meet deadlines for addressing citizens' appeals. The current fine stands at 100 calculation indices (a fixed monetary unit used for penalties and state fees). “We will further refine this approach by drafting new legal regulations to enhance officials' accountability and improve the quality of work within state institutions,” Osmonov added.

Citizens of Kyrgyzstan Can Now Choose Traditional Surnames Under New Law

Kyrgyzstan’s parliament has approved a bill allowing citizens to adopt surname spellings that reflect national traditions and historical heritage, rather than the conventional Russian-style endings. The legislation passed its third and final reading. MP Mirlan Samyakozho, one of the bill’s authors, explained that the changes will allow citizens to choose surnames without Russian endings while retaining the option to keep them. According to amendments to the Family Code and the Law on Civil Status Acts, new naming formats can now be used in official documents. Specifically: The suffix "uulu" (meaning "son of") may be added to male names. The suffix "kyzy" (meaning "daughter of") may be used for female names. Other variations using the genitive and initial case endings will also be permitted, such as "dyn/tyn," "din/tin," "dүn/tүn" for boys and "dan/tan," "den/ten," "dөn/tөn" for girls. In these cases, a patronymic name will no longer be required. Under the new law, a name like Baktybekov Uson Zhakshylykovich could now be recorded as: Baktybekov tegi Uson Baktybektegi Uson Zhakshylyktyn Baktybek Uson Baktybek Uson Zhakshylyk uulu Similarly, Baktybektegi Nurgul Zhakshylykovna could now be recorded as: Baktybektegi Nurgul Baktybektegi Nurgul Zhakshylyktan Baktybek Nurgul Baktybek Nurgul Zhakshylyk kyzy Following Kyrgyzstan’s independence in the 1990s, many citizens adopted traditional Kyrgyz surnames incorporating "uulu" and "kyzy." However, in the 2000s, a mass return to Russian-style surnames occurred, which authorities attributed to increasing external migration. The new law is intended to restore the option for Kyrgyz citizens to preserve their historical naming traditions in official documents.

Shopping Center May Be Built Beneath Bishkek’s Ala-Too Square

Bishkek authorities are moving forward with plans to reconstruct the Manas monument and the underground space beneath it in Ala-Too Square, the capital’s central public space. According to the Bishkek Mayor’s Office, the 1,500-square-meter area beneath the monument is currently unused. According to tender documents published on the government procurement website, the basement beneath Ala-Too Square is set to be redeveloped into retail space. The estimated cost of the reconstruction project is KGS 1.8 million ($20,600). “We want to renovate the basement area - it has been in a dilapidated state since 1983 due to lack of maintenance. As for the future, we are considering various possibilities for the space. However, it is important to clarify that the Manas monument will not be removed,” Bishkek Mayor’s Office spokeswoman Nazgul Zhamgyrchieva told reporters. Despite this reassurance, some Bishkek residents remain concerned, particularly since the Manas monument has already been removed from its pedestal as part of the reconstruction. Many fear it may not be returned to its original place. The monument to Manas, a symbol of Kyrgyzstan’s national heritage, has stood in Ala-Too Square since 2011. Alongside the White House, the National Historical Museum, and the national flag, it forms part of Bishkek’s so-called "marble center", a key landmark in the capital.

Kyrgyz-Tajik Villages to Be Relocated as Part of Border Resolution

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov recently spoke with the Kabar news agency about progress in resolving the Kyrgyz-Tajik border dispute. He also addressed plans for the relocation of villages and homes situated in the checkerboard-like border areas. Progress Toward Resolution Japarov provided an update on the status of negotiations, commenting: “The border issue is almost resolved. Right now, both sides are working on documenting the agreement. After this, the intergovernmental commissions will sign the documents, followed by the foreign ministers. Then, the parliaments of both countries will ratify the agreement. Finally, the presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will sign it, and the process will conclude with an exchange of notes.” Japarov noted, however, that the process would take time to finalize. “It will take another 1-2 years to carry out demarcation work before the issue is fully settled. The most important thing is that we have reached a bilateral agreement,” he said. Addressing Checkerboard Villages When asked about the fairness of the border resolution, Japarov highlighted the balanced nature of the agreement: “In border disputes, it’s impossible to consider only one side’s interests. Decisions are made by considering the needs of both countries. For instance, some disputed sections of the border were split equally. In cases where houses were mixed, like in checkerboard villages, we resolved these issues too.” To address these mixed-border settlements, Japarov explained that families whose homes fall on the other side of the border will be relocated. Tajik families residing on Kyrgyz land will be moved by Tajikistan, and Kyrgyz families on Tajik land will be relocated by Kyrgyzstan. “We will build new homes for them elsewhere, considering the size of their land,” Japarov assured. Peaceful Resolution a Priority Japarov emphasized the importance of resolving the dispute through peaceful and cooperative means. He underscored that resolving border issues would improve border management, avoid future tensions, and build trust between the two nations. Once the demarcation process began, Japarov promised full transparency and regular updates for the public. Historical Context Tensions along the Kyrgyz-Tajik border have been ongoing for decades, with significant disputes intensifying in the late 2000s and early 2010s. In these areas, infrastructure complications have exacerbated the problem. Both countries began constructing alternate roads to avoid crossing into each other’s territory, but rugged terrain and limited financial resources have slowed progress. One of the most challenging areas is the road connecting Batken to the Kyrgyz village of Ak-Sai and the Tajik enclave of Vorukh. This road weaves through Kyrgyz and Tajik territory several times, and in some sections, the road itself serves as the border.