Criminal proceedings have been instituted against the former head of Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (GKNB), Kamchybek Tashiyev, but he urged his supporters to remain calm and stated that he is “clean before the law.” The corresponding statement was published on Facebook by his associate Otkurbek Rakhmanov. Kaktus.media, citing the lawyer, reports that he has been charged under two articles of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan.
In the appeal addressed to “dear compatriots,” Tashiyev said he decided to make a statement following the emergence of information about the case and public reaction.
According to him, many people have expressed concern about the incident since the morning of April 29. He emphasized that criminal prosecution should not become a reason for mass protests, demonstrations, or other forms of pressure on the authorities.
Tashiyev also expressed confidence that he would be able to defend himself in court and would be acquitted. The appeal states that he does not admit to any guilt and that the guilty should be punished while the innocent will be acquitted.
According to him, efforts are being made in the country to form a fair judicial system. As an example, he recalled the acquittal of 25 defendants in the case of protests against the transfer of the Kempir-Abad reservoir, who were accused in 2022–2023 of attempting to seize power by force, Fergana reports.
Separately, the ex-head of the State Committee for National Security appealed to his supporters with a request to act exclusively within the law, not to organize actions and not to take any public or other actions. He also asked not to worry or be concerned about him.
The appeal is dated April 29, 2026.
Several media outlets reported on the initiation of the criminal case. According to Interfax, it concerns serious articles related to an attempted coup d’état.
Several publications also claim that along with Tashiyev, charges have been brought against former Prosecutor General Kurmankul Zulushev and former Parliament Speaker Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu. According to media reports, they are accused of organizing mass riots and actions interpreted by the investigation as an attempt to seize power by force.
Citing lawyer Ikramidin Aitkulov, Kaktus.media writes that the ex-head of the State Committee for National Security has been charged under two articles of the Criminal Code. According to him, Tashiyev was charged under two articles of Kyrgyzstan’s Criminal Code: Article 326 — violent seizure or retention of power, as well as actions aimed at forcibly changing the constitutional order; and Article 337 – abuse of office.
In February, shortly after resigning as chairman of the State Committee for National Security and deputy chairman of the cabinet of ministers, appeals in Tashiyev’s name were already published, calling for calm, not succumbing to provocations, and observing the law.
At that time, he stated that he had served the state, the people, and the president honestly, and also emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the country. In another appeal, he also urged not to destabilize the situation and to avoid any illegal actions.
Meanwhile, the three former high-ranking officials of Kyrgyzstan – ex-head of the State Committee for National Security Kamchybek Tashiev, former MP Kurmankul Zulushev, and ex-Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu (Nurlanbek Shakiev) – have already been questioned in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. 24.kg reported this citing one of the lawyers, Sherdor Abdykaparov.
The interrogations lasted several hours, after which they left the department building.
Officially, the details and progress of the investigation are not disclosed.
According to sources in law enforcement agencies, the investigation is related to the so-called “letter of 75.” In February it became known that 75 people sent an appeal to Sadyr Japarov and the speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh calling for early presidential elections.
Subsequently: Kamchybek Tashiyev was relieved from the position of head of the State Committee for National Security and deputy head of the Cabinet of Ministers; the State Committee for National Security was reorganized; a number of high-ranking officials lost their positions; Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu resigned as speaker and handed over his parliamentary mandate; Kurmankul Zulushev also handed over his parliamentary mandate.
