Kamchybek Tashiev
The chairman of Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security (SCNS), Kamchybek Tashiev, stated on September 18 that despite a significant reduction in corruption over the past three years, bribery remains a serious issue as criminals manage to avoid severe punishment.
«We detain corrupt officials, but they get released. We detain them again, and they're free again. Honestly, we're tired of detaining them,» Tashiev admitted during the opening ceremony of an SCNS building in the Kadamjay district of Batken region.
According to Tashiev, over a dozen judges were arrested for corruption in four years, but none were imprisoned. The same applied to SCNS and prosecutor's office employees, with all being released on fines.
«Now there will be no fines, only real prison terms,» Tashiev emphasized, commenting on amendments proposed by his department.
He outlined the current practice of dealing with bribe-takers, describing a process where suspects are detained, investigated, and often released on fines after plea bargains, sometimes returning to their positions or continuing illegal activities.
Tashiev suggested that even if a detainee admits guilt and cooperates with the investigation, they should serve at least half of the legally prescribed term. He also proposed banning those convicted of corruption and their close relatives from holding government positions.
«Corrupt officials should know they will face strict punishment sooner or later. Early release provisions won't apply to them. A corrupt official is the state's number one enemy. Only then will we defeat them,» Tashiev declared.
Previously, Tashiev promised to rid Kyrgyzstan of crime by 2026 and cleanse the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament) of corrupt deputies.
