Sentence: fine and deprivation of awards for Abduvayev and Kydyrgychov. According to the information from the SCNS, the arrest of the individuals occurred on December 6, 2024, as part of a criminal case initiated under Article 337, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic regarding "Abuse of Office." The crimes were committed before the amendments to the Criminal Code that tightened penalties for corrupt actions. In this regard, the court applied the old provisions of the Criminal Code, allowing for a fine to be imposed upon admission of guilt and conclusion of an agreement.
During the investigation, both defendants admitted their guilt and compensated the state for damages amounting to 4 billion 307 million soms.
The SCNS reports that these confessions and the results of investigative and operational activities allowed for the identification and dismantling of a stable corruption scheme within the tax service, involving employees of the Central Apparatus Audit Department of the State Tax Service and several other officials.
“These measures have impacted tax collections: by the end of 2025, tax and insurance contributions exceeded planned figures by 40 billion soms. Currently, investigations are ongoing regarding other individuals involved,” the statement notes.
Historical context:
Former leaders of the State Tax Service, Altynbek Abduvayev and Islambek Kydyrgychov, were summoned for questioning at the SCNS on December 5-6, 2024, after which they were placed in the SCNS detention facility on December 6.
Just three days prior, searches were conducted in four district offices of the State Tax Service in Bishkek.
The SCNS reports that major producers and importers of excise goods (alcohol, sugary products, tobacco) were recording discrepancies and retraction of cargo accompanying documents in their accounting databases while supplying to the southern regions.
“In 2024, employees of the State Tax Service ignored numerous instances of retraction and discrepancies in transport invoices for excise goods in Bishkek, with a total value exceeding 3.2 billion soms,” the SCNS informed.
According to the investigation, 1 million transport invoices were returned, but none passed inspection by tax inspectors. The total volume of transport invoices amounted to 464 billion soms, while the amount of unpaid taxes reached 30 billion soms.
Later, the SCNS reported that the former head of the State Tax Service, Abduvayev, was found to have assets both in Kyrgyzstan and abroad worth $55 million, including a house in Bodrum, a commercial enterprise in Almaty, real estate in Bishkek, and shares in the construction business.
Reference information:
Article 337. Abuse of Office under the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic
(As amended by the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic dated December 31, 2024, No. 209)
1. Abuse of office by an official causing significant harm,
- is punishable by imprisonment for up to two years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions.
2. The same act for the purpose of obtaining benefits for oneself or others,
- is punishable by imprisonment for a term of two to five years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions.
3. An act provided for in part 2 that causes serious harm,
- is punishable by imprisonment for a term of five to eight years with confiscation of property.
4. Acts provided for in parts 1, 2, or 3 committed by an official in a responsible position,
- are punishable by imprisonment for a term of eight to ten years with confiscation of property.
