Photo from the internet. Key moments of Kamchybek Tashiev's work as head of the GKNB
Fight Against Crime
One of Tashiev's most notable achievements was the operation on October 4, 2023, when law enforcement agencies eliminated the notorious criminal authority Kamchybek Asanbekov, better known as Koli Kyrgyz. This individual had significant influence in the criminal world and was linked to the international network "Brotherhood Circle," controlling shadow financial flows and the hierarchy in prisons. Tashiev emphasized that this decision was made "for the good of the state" and marked the end of the era of "thieves in law."
After this operation, the GKNB presented a report indicating significant pressure on organized crime groups and a cleansing of shadow influences. Property and assets worth hundreds of millions of soms were returned to state ownership, including real estate, a fleet of vehicles, and land plots. During his leadership, the committee conducted numerous high-profile operations aimed at curbing criminal activity, which, according to the agency, brought up to 100 billion soms into the treasury.
Tashiev actively claimed that there were no "watchers" in the country and that business was now "freed from criminal pressure," which also became part of his image as head of the GKNB.
Border Issues
An important aspect of Tashiev's work was the negotiations on the delimitation and demarcation of the border with Tajikistan. At the beginning of these negotiations, more than 30 sections of the border remained disputed. Under his leadership, it was possible to agree on most lines, including previously conflict-prone areas.
Kyrgyzstan has about 970 kilometers of border with Tajikistan, highlighting the importance of resolving border issues.
Tashiev also led the delegation for the demarcation of the border with Uzbekistan, which resulted in the signing of historic agreements in 2023 regarding land exchanges and the resolution of disputed areas.
Achievements and Criticism
Under Tashiev, the GKNB became the initiator of a number of security campaigns, including:
- arrests of high-ranking officials on corruption charges;
- operations to combat drug trafficking;
- investigations into smuggling schemes;
- statements about the elimination of "influence matrices" of criminal structures.
These actions received both support and criticism, depending on public perception of the methods of forceful pressure. In September 2022, Tashiev was awarded the highest honor "Hero of the Kyrgyz Republic" for his services to the state.
Tashiev's alliance with President Sadyr Japarov was long perceived as a strong coalition of two influential figures shaping the political architecture of the country. However, with Tashiev's resignation, the president stated that a necessary redistribution of power had occurred to maintain the unity of the state.
Thus, Kamchybek Tashiev's five-year term as head of the GKNB became a period of significant changes in the fight against crime and the resolution of border issues. His resignation marks the end of an important phase in Kyrgyzstan's security policy and leaves questions about the future balance of power and strategy in the field of security.
