The effectiveness of justice is not limited to the severity of decisions, but also to their actual enforcement. The bailiff system in Kyrgyzstan has long been problematic: low recovery rates, bureaucracy, and corruption risks negatively impacted citizens' trust in the laws. The summer events of 2025, when the Bailiff Service was transferred to the jurisdiction of the General Prosecutor's Office, became significant. In an exclusive interview, the acting director of the Bailiff Service, Colonel of Justice Jyrgalbek Kurmanbekov, spoke about the initial successes of this reform, digitalization, and increasing the productivity of the service.
- Since July 1, 2025, the powers to enforce court decisions were transferred from the Judicial Department to the General Prosecutor's Office. What was the reason for this decision and how has it changed your work in the past months?
- The situation required decisive action. The Presidential Decree of June 23, 2025, marked the start of a large-scale reform, as the old structure within the Judicial Department was unable to fulfill its tasks. We faced numerous systemic shortcomings: weak enforcement discipline, lack of control, and slow inter-agency interaction.
Moving under the jurisdiction of the General Prosecutor's Office did not just change the name; it created a strict vertical management structure. Now every bailiff knows that there is a supervisory body behind them, which has significantly improved discipline. During this time, we radically restructured our work: we centralized functions, actively implemented digital technologies, and established direct interaction with other state bodies. Now we not only request but demand the enforcement of laws in the interests of citizens.
If we talk about numbers, the results are impressive. In 2024, just over 633 million soms were recovered for the budget, and in 2025 this amount increased to 1 billion 62 million. If we consider the second halves of the years for comparison, the dynamics are even more striking: in 2024 there were 286.6 million, while in 2025 there were 743.1 million soms. This means that efficiency has increased 2.5 times!
The volume of incoming documents has also increased — in 2025 we received almost 496,000 enforcement orders, which is 57% more compared to the previous year. Despite the increased workload, the execution rate rose from 63% to 86.5%. We no longer leave documents unattended, and now every copy is recorded.
- What interim results can be summarized at this point? Has the system become stricter or more efficient? Has the number of employees increased?
- I would characterize the system as "healthy." It has become more manageable and, importantly, more efficient. Thanks to prosecutorial oversight, the timeframes for decision-making have shortened. We have stopped "coddling" debtors and have become more active in applying coercive measures. This is not "tightening" for the sake of cruelty, but normal work to protect the rights of those who have won in court.
As for the number of employees, we have not increased. On the contrary, according to the decree, we were transferred only "combat units" — the executors. There are only 500 staff positions in the country, of which 380 are bailiffs. Keep in mind that such a volume of work with billion-soms recoveries is done by less than four hundred people!
The secret of our success lies in close cooperation with the local prosecutor's office. In each of the 56 subdivisions, prosecutors thoroughly analyzed problematic cases and issued strict instructions. During this time, about 270 bailiffs received disciplinary penalties. We study the productivity of each employee and plan rotations: if in one area one bailiff has 500 cases a month, while in another there are only 70, we will transfer personnel to where the work is greater.
- Will you conduct staff rotations? How will this be implemented between the south and north of the country?
- Certainly, rotation is an effective anti-corruption tool that has long been used in the prosecutor's office. However, the main limitation now is living conditions. You cannot simply send someone to another region if there is no suitable housing there. Previously, this was not considered; the Judicial Department's base was not sufficiently developed. Now we are working on this.
- In January 2026, a law on the complete digitalization of court proceedings comes into force. Is the Bailiff Service ready to switch to electronic documents and abandon paper? Is this even possible, and is it convenient for you?
- We are all for it! Working with paper in the 21st century is an outdated approach. We are moving towards digitalization not out of fashion but out of necessity. Currently, our IT specialists are developing the "Enforcement Proceedings 2.0" system, which will be a real breakthrough.
Right now, the system works slowly. For a bailiff to find a debtor's bank account, they need to manually send requests to all 22 banks and wait for responses for months. In the new system, everything will change: with one click, we will receive information from banks, the Cadastre, the Social Fund, and other agencies. This will significantly speed up the process and eliminate bureaucracy, depriving debtors of the opportunity to evade responsibility.
- Are there electronic services available for ordinary citizens?
- Yes, we strive for maximum openness. We have already launched a service with QR codes that allows for quick information verification: just point your smartphone, enter your TIN, and you will gain access to all your debts, travel restrictions, and the contact details of the bailiff. This news has become very popular on social media, and people have actively started checking themselves.
It is shameful when a person who has purchased tickets cannot fly due to a debt of a thousand soms. To avoid such situations, we have placed QR codes in airports, akimats, post offices, and even travel agencies. Now it is possible to pay off the debt online and immediately send the document to the bailiff — it takes only 15-20 minutes. Soon we will add a "pay" button in the app to simplify the process.
- Deputy Dastan Bekeshev proposed to tighten penalties for those who do not pay alimony. Will such measures help solve the problem, or are other approaches needed?
- The issue of alimony is always sensitive. Prisons alone will not solve the problem. Many do not pay not out of malice but due to a lack of work or difficult life circumstances. But there are also clearly unscrupulous payers. For them, a short-term arrest of 3-7 days could be a good incentive. In Soviet times, such measures reduced the number of alimony evaders.
Currently, we have 60,000 alimony cases, and 1,200 people are wanted. We propose using arrest as a temporary measure. A criminal charge has serious consequences not only for the parent but also for the child. A short-term arrest in a special detention facility will help debtors reconsider their obligations without ruining the child's future. Our goal is not to punish but to find resources for the children.
- What debts can become an obstacle at the border? Is there a minimum amount at which restrictions are imposed?
- Restrictions can be imposed for any debts: alimony, fines, damages. The law does not set a minimum threshold, so even a small amount can become a problem. The only exception is business debts: restrictions on taxes are imposed for debts exceeding 500 calculated indicators. It is best to check your obligations in advance through our service.
- Are there legal ways to defer or stagger the enforcement of decisions, and how can this be arranged?
- We operate within the law, not like collectors. If a person is genuinely in a difficult situation, they can apply for a deferral. But the decision is made by the court, not the bailiff. According to Article 209 of the Civil Procedure Code of the Kyrgyz Republic, a petition must be submitted to the court that issued the enforcement order. If the court recognizes the reasons as valid, it can grant a deferral or change the payment terms. We are obliged to follow such a decision.
- The work of a bailiff is associated with financial interests and pressure from parties. How does the General Prosecutor's Office control the work of the new service, and what internal checks are conducted?
- In our work, there are many temptations and pressures. Therefore, "clean ranks" are a condition for the survival of the reform. We are now monitored by the Internal Investigations Service of the General Prosecutor's Office. We hold strict monthly meetings where each employee signs that they are aware of the consequences of corruption.
Control has become multi-level: from analyzing citizens' complaints to electronic monitoring. Every action of a bailiff is recorded in the system. If a signal about suspicious activity is received, a service investigation begins. We do not cover for our own, and if someone tarnishes the honor of the service, the materials are forwarded for initiating a case. Only in this way can we restore citizens' trust.
- We are used to seeing service employees only during property seizures. What other duties do you have that society may not know about (for example, searching for debtors, working with non-property claims)?
- Evictions and confiscations are just a small part of our work that journalists highlight. In fact, we engage in much more extensive and sometimes dramatic work. We search not only for property but also for people, as well as children hidden from one of the parents. We restore rights at work, demolish illegal constructions, and compel people to comply with court orders that do not involve money. This is a huge area of invisible but extremely important work in restoring justice.
- The presidential decree mentioned the development of the institution of private bailiffs. When will they appear in the country, and how will the distribution of powers occur?
- This is a relevant task. The president set the goal of implementing this institution, and the draft law is already in the Jogorku Kenesh. This will be a new "hybrid" model for the country. Private bailiffs will take on part of the workload, allowing us to focus on more important matters. Powers will be clearly delineated; we will likely start with a pilot project in certain regions.
- What measures are planned for working with debtors hiding abroad? Will new agreements on mutual enforcement of decisions be concluded?
- This is our "painful topic" that requires active resolution. Previously, our capabilities ended at the border. Now we have developed a law that will allow for the international search for debtors and their assets. We have already joined the International Union of Bailiffs, which includes 90 countries. A memorandum has been signed, and starting in March 2026, when the new legislation comes into effect, we will begin actively working with assets abroad. It will no longer be possible to hide abroad.
- How can young people get a job with you? What education is required, and is there a competition?
- We need actively thinking and qualified lawyers. The requirements are clear: a law degree and work experience. The selection process involves a strict computer test at the State Personnel Service. After successfully passing the test, candidates are invited for an interview. We are looking for enthusiastic people ready to change the system. Currently, we have 30 excellent candidates in reserve, which is encouraging. All vacancies are published on our website, so come and try your luck.
