Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has pledged to intensify the country's fight against corruption, declaring that graft is "worse than murder" and warning that even his closest relatives would face punishment if found guilty.
Speaking during a session of the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament) on 11 March, Japarov said the government would continue its anti-corruption campaign regardless of political or personal ties.
“No one will be spared. Even if it is my own brother, I will not show mercy,” Japarov told parliamentarians. “A murderer kills one person, but a corrupt official destroys an entire state.”
He also urged members of parliament to report cases of corruption among government officials openly, promising protection for those who expose wrongdoing.
Corruption remains a significant challenge in Kyrgyzstan. According to the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, the country scored 26 points out of 100 and ranked 142nd out of 182 countries in 2025, reflecting relatively high perceived levels of public-sector corruption.
The index evaluates countries on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), based on expert assessments and surveys of business leaders. Despite slight improvement in recent years, analysts say corruption remains one of the country’s key governance challenges.
Japarov’s remarks come amid a series of high-profile dismissals within Kyrgyzstan’s government and security structures.
In March 2026, the president dismissed Emergency Situations Minister Urmatbek Shamyrkanov following allegations of bribery shortly after his appointment.
Earlier, in February, Japarov removed Kamchybek Tashiev, one of the country’s most powerful officials, from his posts as head of the State Committee for National Security and deputy prime minister.
The move was followed by the dismissal or resignation of several officials considered close to him, including parliamentary speaker Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu.
The reshuffle marked one of the most significant political shifts in Kyrgyzstan’s leadership since Japarov came to power in 2020.
Addressing lawmakers, the president called for stronger cooperation between government institutions and parliament in tackling corruption.
Japarov said exposing illegal activity within state institutions would help strengthen public trust and improve governance.
“Do not be afraid to speak openly if you see corruption or theft within the authorities,” he told deputies. “I will stand on your side and protect you.”
Analysts note that the effectiveness of Kyrgyzstan’s anti-corruption campaign will depend on institutional reforms, transparency measures and consistent enforcement at all levels of government.
More than 68,000 children in eastern Afghanistan have been displaced after clashes between Afghan and Pakistani fo...
Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is reportedly in good health and staying in a &ldqu...
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has pledged to intensify the country's fight against corruption, declaring that...
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told parliamentarians that ordinary Iranians are paying a heavy price for the conflict that began on Saturd...
China will finance the construction of nine border facilities in Tajikistan along the frontier with Afghanistan in...
More than 68,000 children in eastern Afghanistan have been displaced after clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces intensified along the border, according to a new report by Save the Children.
China will finance the construction of nine border facilities in Tajikistan along the frontier with Afghanistan in a project worth more than $50 million aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of the country’s Border Troops.
The annual pro-Palestinian al-Quds Day march in London, scheduled to take place on Sunday, has been banned by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood following warnings from the Metropolitan Police about the risk of “serious public disorder.”
Georgia has cancelled international tenders for the construction of major road sections that form part of a regional highway linking the country with the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was 'lightly injured,' an unnamed Iranian official said on Wednesday, as Tehran and Israel continued to exchange missile and drone strikes - all the latest updates throughout the day on AnewZ.
Global oil prices reached a four year high on Monday (9 March), surpassing $119 a barrel, as conflict in the Middle East rumbled on. Meanwhile, the Turkish Military said NATO air defence systems destroyed a missile fired from Iran towards the country.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is reportedly in good health and staying in a “safe place”, despite earlier reports that he had been injured during recent U.S.-Israel airstrikes, according to the country's president.
More than 68,000 children in eastern Afghanistan have been displaced after clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces intensified along the border, according to a new report by Save the Children.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told parliamentarians that ordinary Iranians are paying a heavy price for the conflict that began on Saturday 28 February, renewing his call for urgent de-escalation and offering Türkiye as a potential mediator.
China will finance the construction of nine border facilities in Tajikistan along the frontier with Afghanistan in a project worth more than $50 million aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of the country’s Border Troops.
Georgia has cancelled international tenders for the construction of major road sections that form part of a regional highway linking the country with the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment