In an interview conducted on August 13 with journalist Ali Toktakunov, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov disclosed that he had originally planned for his close ally and former security chief, Kamshubek Tashiev, to succeed him as president. Japarov stated that he had intended to retire following his first term, but ultimately changed his course after concluding that Tashiev was “not ready” for the presidency.
Japarov explained that he had previously advised Tashiev to prepare by cleaning up his inner circle and properly educating his staff. However, the president observed that individuals in Tashiev’s entourage had gained excessive power and that the general's staff was not behaving as expected. Tensions escalated with the emergence of the “Letter of 75,” which sparked divisions within parliament. Japarov recounted telling Tashiev that such divisions were unacceptable, leading to the security chief’s dismissal in February to prevent further societal and governmental fragmentation.
Prior to his departure, Tashiev had consistently denied harboring presidential ambitions, famously stating that only death could separate him from Japarov. Despite these denials, Japarov’s revelation adds a new layer to the collapse of their political partnership. This situation mirrors the historical fallout between former presidents Almazbek Atambayev and Sooronbai Jeenbekov, which intensified in 2019 and 2020, plunging the nation into political chaos.
The political landscape has been further complicated by the “Letter of 75” case, involving Tashiev, former Speaker Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu, former MP Kurmankul Zulushev, and five others. Last month, they were found guilty of a coup attempt under Article 326, though they were acquitted of abuse of office charges. While prosecutors had sought nine-year prison terms, the court issued four-year sentences replaced by three years of supervised probation, allowing the defendants to remain out of detention. On August 13, as reported by 24.kg, the Prosecutor General’s Office filed an appeal, seeking to overturn the acquittals and increase the severity of the sentences, while the defendants are pursuing a full acquittal.
With presidential elections scheduled for January 27, 2027, Japarov confirmed he will seek a second term to complete his ongoing reforms. As early as January 2024, Japarov’s allies were floating the possibility of him seeking a second term. Although Japarov maintains that the election will be transparent and open to all, any potential bid by Tashiev faces significant legal hurdles. Under legislation signed in 2025, individuals with criminal records are prohibited from running for the presidency. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court has clarified that the election cannot be held early—noting a shift from January 24 to January 27—and that Japarov’s current term counts as his first under the 2021 constitution.
The revelation comes in tandem with Kyrgyzstan’s prosecutor general appealing the July verdict and sentences in the “Letter of 75” case, seeking harsher punishments.
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