A Kyrgyz lawmaker has suggested that an alleged attempted coup lies behind the high-profile dismissal of former State Committee for National Security (SCNS) Chairman Kamchybek Tashiev.
In an interview with a Kazakh journalist, member of parliament Elvira Surabaldieva claimed that individuals linked to Tashiev had been preparing to seize power for an extended period, but the attempt was ultimately thwarted.
Claims of presidential leniency
Surabaldieva said Tashiev’s continued freedom may be due to what she described as President Sadyr Japarov’s «exceptional magnanimity.»
«The president is a magnanimous man. Perhaps he feels sorry for Tashiev because he is his friend. I don’t know for sure. But the president is going through a very difficult time right now because his longtime friend tried to remove him from office,» she said.
She added that this may have been the primary reason for Tashiev’s dismissal.
Surabaldieva concluded her remarks with a proverb: «You can’t cook two sheep’s heads in one cauldron.»
Public reaction divides opinion
The interview sparked sharp divisions in Kyrgyzstan, with social media users splitting into several camps.
Supporters of Surabaldieva’s claims — many of whom are critical of Tashiev — say she is now the target of a coordinated information campaign by his allies. They note that the lawmaker has previously called for investigations into businesses linked to Tashiev’s family.
Others criticized Surabaldieva for discussing sensitive political matters with a foreign journalist, calling the move inappropriate. Some commentators expressed skepticism toward both sides, dismissing her claims as unfounded and questioning whether Tashiev had the capacity to organize such an effort.
Background to the dismissal
President Japarov unexpectedly dismissed Tashiev in February 2026. Following his removal, hundreds of business owners reportedly came forward with complaints, and prosecutors said they had received more than 500 filings against employees of the SCNS.
