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.
At least two people were killed, including the alleged shooter, and a number were injured in a shooting at a high school in the southern Phili...
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is considering a scheme to help local police officers cover the legal and financial risks of making ...
Russia said its air defences downed 180 drones over the Moscow region overnight, with 620 drones reportedly targeting the area, according to Moscow...
At least 11 people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, among the deadliest since a June ceasefire. Meanwhile, Qatar denied holding Iranian pilots. It said it had found the remains of one pilot after an airspace violation and had contacted Iran to coordinate a handover.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington is not seeking an extension of its memorandum of understanding with Iran, claiming the U.S. already controls the Strait of Hormuz through its naval blockade.
A wildfire in Croatia driven by strong winds descended on the tourist town of Omis overnight, engulfing houses, forcing about 1,000 people to evacuate to safety and injuring dozens, fire brigade and health officials said on Friday.
South Korea's presidential Blue House said on Monday it was reviewing U.S. President Donald Trump's comments on scaling back joint military drills. It added that it hoped a favourable relationship between Washington and Pyongyang could lead to meaningful talks.
Residents of villages in eastern Indonesia hit by a deadly earthquake that killed at least 54 people were awaiting aid on Monday as rescuers prepared to comb through collapsed buildings in search of people trapped beneath the rubble.
Iran says it will use all diplomatic and legal channels to determine the fate of three Air Force pilots it believes are being held in Qatar after their fighter jets were downed during the March war.
Kazakhstan has launched a unified digital platform to track coal supplies in real time, giving officials a clearer view of production, shipments, stocks and prices ahead of the heating season.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s push to end the war in Gaza returned to the diplomatic arena on Sunday (16 August), as his envoys met Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish mediators in Cairo while Israeli strikes continued across the strip.
At least 11 people, including three children and two women, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, according to Lebanese authorities, in one of the deadliest escalations since a U.S.-mediated framework was agreed between Lebanon and Israel.
As the countries of the Turkic world seek deeper economic integration, the Turkic Investment Fund (TIF) is positioning itself as a key financial vehicle for turning political cooperation into tangible development projects.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment