Kyrgyzstan’s ex-second in command, Kamchybek Tashiev, has been convicted of plotting to overthrow the country’s President Sadyr Japarov. Tashiev and Japarov had ruled the Central Asian nation in tandem since 2020, until the former was unexpectedly ousted in February.
The country’s former ex-Prosecutor General, Kurmankul Zulushev, ex-Parliamentary Speaker, Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu, and five others were also convicted for their role in a case, which hinged on an open letter to Tashiev calling for an early presidential election.
Prosecutors said that the letter represented a call to seize power in a coup.
The defendants were all sentenced to four years in prison, but they will be allowed to serve their terms on probation, rather than behind bars. Each also had their property confiscated. All denied the charges.
The sentencing risks instability in historically volatile Kyrgyzstan, where Japarov is set to seek a second term as President in an election next year.
"The ousting of Tashiev suggests that Japarov feels secure enough in his position to go after such a big target," Temur Umarov, a Central Asia Expert at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said.
The partnership between Japarov and Tashiev had united elites across the fractious north and south of Kyrgyzstan, a resource-poor country heavily dependent on remittances from migrants working in Russia.
Around 600,000 Kyrgyzstan citizens reportedly work in Russia, around eight per cent of the country’s population. Their wages reinvested in the Kyrgz economy account for around 20 per cent of Kyrgyzstan's GDP.
When Tashiev ruled with Japarov, the two men clamped down on opposition and independent media, in the country where presidents were ousted by protests in 2005, 2010 and 2020.
Japarov and Tashiev delivered rapid economic growth, almost doubling the country’s GDP between 2022 and 2026, according to IMF estimates. But the growth was largely due to the country becoming a key route for Western goods to reach Russia, after European countries imposed sanctions on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.
European Union (EU) documents seen by the Financial Times in March said that imports of “high-priority items” from the bloc to Kyrgyzstan had risen by nearly 800 per cent since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Exports to Russia from Kyrgyzstan were 1,200 per cent higher, the EU documents said.
In April, Kyrgyzstan became the first country to face secondary EU sanctions over suspected sanction-busting activities related to Russia. The EU banned the export of computer numerical control machines to Kyrgyzstan. The technology is used in the production of components for weapons.
Kyrgyzstan responded in May by shutting down 50 companies operating within the country suspected of helping Moscow evade sanctions.
Morocco booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a convincing 3-0 victory over Canada, ending the co-host's historic run in the tourna...
President Donald Trump said Iran is keen to reach a deal with the United States, claiming Washington had paused engagement to allow funeral ceremonies...
Kyrgyzstan’s ex-second in command, Kamchybek Tashiev, has been convicted of plotting to overthrow the country’s President Sadyr Japarov. Tashiev a...
Russia's Defence Ministry has said its forces are clearing the town of Lyman in Donetsk of Ukrainian forces, Moscow's state news agency Tass reported...
Uzbekistan will open an embassy in Georgia, the Central Asian country’s presidency has said. The announcement follows talks between Uzbekistan’s P...
Morocco booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a convincing 3-0 victory over Canada, ending the co-host's historic run in the tournament.
President Donald Trump said Iran is keen to reach a deal with the United States, claiming Washington had paused engagement to allow funeral ceremonies for late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Russia's Defence Ministry has said its forces are clearing the town of Lyman in Donetsk of Ukrainian forces, Moscow's state news agency Tass reported. Meanwhile, Russian attacks killed at least six people across three Ukrainian regions on Friday, regional officials said.
Uzbekistan will open an embassy in Georgia, the Central Asian country’s presidency has said. The announcement follows talks between Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has raised its forecast for the rapid emergence of a strong El Niño, warning the climate pattern is likely to drive higher global temperatures and intensify extreme weather in the months ahead.
India is investigating a data breach at Tata Electronics that exposed sensitive documents linked to Apple's unreleased iPhone 18 Pro, marking the government's first public comments on the incident.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
Germany has requested urgent talks with China's ambassador following reports that Chinese authorities trained Russian soldiers, adding fresh strain to relations between Beijing and Europe amid the war in Ukraine.
Uzbekistan will open an embassy in Georgia, the Central Asian country’s presidency has said. The announcement follows talks between Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the eastern German city of Erfurt on Saturday as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) opened its annual party conference, where delegates voted to keep Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla as the party's co-leaders.
Armenia's parliament has passed a new law raising the requirements for citizens living abroad to vote in national elections, following concerns over alleged efforts to influence last month's parliamentary vote through Armenian citizens residing in Russia.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
Georgia’s only oil refinery will stop using Russian crude oil by September to preserve access to Western markets, its operator has said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment