When asked whether the recent decision regarding Tashiev's dismissal means the end of their friendship, Japarov replied, "Our friendship will remain." He noted that before relieving Tashiev of his duties, he discussed the situation with him and only after that made a decision, which, according to him, was aimed at maintaining unity and calm in the country.
“It is wrong to link our friendship with positions or interests,” he added.
Japarov also explained the reasons for his decision regarding the dismissal:
“Firstly, in 2021, the people elected me president, entrusting me with the fate of the state. The constitution obliges me to ensure the integrity of the country and the unity of the people. I adhered to this duty because the interests of the people are above any positions or friendships,” the president noted.
He spoke about the situation in the Jogorku Kenesh, where some deputies tried to divide the parliamentarians into "our" and "that" side, indicating allegiance to either the general or the president. This division also affected the elders on the streets.
As a result, attempts began to gather signatures for early elections, misleading people by claiming that this was "agreed at the very top" and that the Jogorku Kenesh would soon announce elections.
“If I had not taken decisive measures, this could have led to division among citizens. I had evidence that some deputies and civil servants were being intimidated, threatened by the general if they did not switch to 'our side',” he added.
“Therefore, I was forced to make such a decision,” Sadyr Japarov concluded.
