Sadyr Japarov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sadyr Japarov
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Садыр Жапаров
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Official portrait, 2021
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| 6th President of Kyrgyzstan | |
| Assumed office 28 January 2021 |
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| Prime Minister | Artem Novikov (acting) Ulukbek Maripov Akylbek Japarov |
| Preceded by | Talant Mamytov (acting) |
| In office 15 October 2020 – 14 November 2020 Acting |
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| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Sooronbay Jeenbekov |
| Succeeded by | Talant Mamytov (acting) |
| 22nd Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan | |
| In office 10 October 2020 – 14 November 2020 |
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| President | Sooronbay Jeenbekov Himself Talant Mamytov (acting) |
| Deputy | Artem Novikov |
| Preceded by | Kubatbek Boronov |
| Succeeded by | Artem Novikov (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 December 1968 Keng-Suu, Kyrgyz SSR, Soviet Union (now Kyrgyzstan) |
| Political party | Mekenchil |
| Other political affiliations |
Ata-Zhurt |
| Spouse |
Aigul Asanbaeva
(m. 1991) |
| Residence | Ala Archa State Residence |
| Education | Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University |
Sadyr Nurgojo uulu Japarov (also Zhaparov; [sɑ'dɯr nurʁo'd͡ʒo d͡ʒɑ'pɑrof]; Kyrgyz: Садыр Нургожо уулу Жапаров; born 6 December 1968) is a Kyrgyz politician who is currently serving as the president of Kyrgyzstan since 28 January 2021. He had previously served as the acting prime minister of Kyrgyzstan in the 2020 interim government following the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. Japarov also became acting president of Kyrgyzstan after Jeenbekov's resignation but resigned himself on 14 November 2020 to run for the 2021 presidential election, where he was elected to succeed the acting president Talant Mamytov.
Japarov began his political career as a deputy in 2005 after being elected to the Supreme Council and from 2007 served in the presidential administration under Kurmanbek Bakiyev before his overthrow in the 2010 Kyrgyz Revolution. From there, Japarov returned working as a deputy and held popular rallies to overthrow the Kyrgyz government during the attempts of seizing the Bishkek White House and kidnapping an akim, which led for him to flee Kyrgyzstan for exile in 2013 to avoid prosecution. Japarov returned to Kyrgyzstan in 2017, where he was arrested and imprisoned for 11 years due to his prior illegal political activities. His prison sentence time was cut short after eventually being freed by his supporters during the 2020 Kyrgyz Revolution and leading for his rise to power in Kyrgyzstan.
Japarov's presidency is viewed to be autocratic and authoritarian, as he consolidated power and stifled dissent. Prior to Japarov taking charge, Kyrgyzstan was known for having a relatively open political climate compared to other post-Soviet states of Central Asia. He reintroduced a presidential system via constitutional and government system referendums which increased his executive powers to absolute and reduced the parliament's influence, as well as creating the People's Kurultai which resulted in Kyrgyzstan facing a serious democratic backsliding. Several opposition politicians and activists were arrested, independent media outlets have been shut down and journalists arrested, and new laws aimed at suppressing independent media were introduced. Under his presidency, the Kyrgyzstan government has embarked on a vast public spending spree, much of which is going to companies owned by Japarov through complex networks of proxies.
Japarov pursued a pro-Russian foreign policy with Kyrgyzstan's international partners and was named as one of main figures in allegedly supporting Russia to evade international sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine. He also faced the 2021 and 2022 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan clashes where he expressed his intention to solve a border dispute with Tajikistan.
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Early life and education
Japarov was born in Keng-Suu, a village in the Tüp District in what was then the Kirghiz SSR within the Soviet Union, in the family of Nurgozho and Kadic Japarov. After finishing his middle school education in 1986, he joined the Kyrgyz National Academy of Physical Culture and Sport. In 1987, Japarov was drafted into the Soviet Army, where he served for two years in Novosibirsk as a commander in a telecommunications division. After returning in 1989 with the rank of Junior Sergeant, Japarov continued his education in the academy until 1991. In 2006, Japarov graduated from the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University in Bishkek with a degree in law.
Early political career
Japarov started his political career after the 2005 Tulip Revolution. In March 2005, he was elected as member of the Supreme Council from the Tüp electoral district where he headed the Kelechek parliamentary faction. He was a supporter of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. In 2006, Japarov was a member of the State Awards Commission. In 2007, he was Deputy Chairman of the Amnesty Commission.
In the 2007 parliamentary elections, he participated in the lists of the pro-presidential party Ak Jol, which won the majority of seats in parliament but went on to work as an adviser to the president. From 2008 to 2010, Japarov worked as an authorized representative of the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption.
Second Kyrgyz Revolution and the 2010 election
In 2010, President Bakiyev was overthrown in the Kyrgyz Revolution of 2010. As a result of interethnic clashes that took place soon in Osh and Jalal-Abad, Japarov and his associates took an active part, which according to their own statements, they tried to prevent clashes. However they were accused by opponents in actively supporting the Kyrgyz nationalists and provoking the conflict.
Following the revolution, Japarov was re-elected as a member of Supreme Council on the party list of Ata-Zhurt led by Kamchybek Tashiev, which won the majority of seats in the 2010 parliamentary election. From there, he became the chairman of the Committee on Judicial and Legal issues.
In his book 10 Years in Politics, Japarov later admitted that party received 3 million dollars for the 2010 parliamentary election from some "Kazakh friends." According to the electoral legislation, receiving assistance from abroad is prohibited by law. In the book, Sadyr Japarov accused Akhmatbek Keldibekov of embezzling funds from "Kazakh friends" in the 2010 elections. Keldibekov was also a close associate of fugitive President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and was the head of the tax service of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Attempted White House seizure and kidnapping of Issyk-Kul Region akim
During one of the rallies for the nationalization of the Kumtor Gold Mine in the fall of 2012, the protesters attempted to take over the White House in Bishkek.
While Japarov, in a bulletproof vest and with weapons, entered the parliament, his allies, deputies, Mamytov and Tashiev, led people to storm the parliamentary fence. They had a large arsenal with them: traumatic pistols, Makarov pistols, hunting carbines with hundreds of rounds, metal crowbars, stones and knives.
Tashiev and Japarov were both charged under Article 295 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic "Forcible seizure of power or forcible retention of power." In March 2013, the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek found them guilty and sentenced them to one year and six months in prison. But in June 2013, the Bishkek City Court acquitted the politicians and released them in the courtroom.
After one of these rallies in May 2013, residents of Issyk-Kul villages seized an electrical substation and de-energized a gold mining enterprise. At the same time, unknown people extorted $3 million from the manager of the Canadian Centerra in exchange for stopping the rallies.
On 27 June 2013, during the protests against Kumtor in Karakol, the protesters tried to kidnap the akim of the region Emilbek Kaptagaev and take him hostage. The Kyrgyz authorities accused Japarov and Kubanychbek Kadyrov of organizing the plan. The protest leaders were detained, but Japarov, who denied his involvement, fled Kyrgyzstan where he lived for some time in Cyprus.
2017 arrest and imprisonment
In 2017, Japarov attempted to return to Kyrgyzstan. On 25 March 2017, he was detained at the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border. In the case of allegedly attempting to kidnap Emilbek Kaptagaev, he was sentenced to 11 years and 6 months in prison. While in prison, Japarov founded the political party Mekenchil with Kamchybek Tashiyev. Between 2018 and 2019, the party and its supporters grew and organized protests against Japarov's imprisonment.
Interim leadership of Kyrgyzstan
On 5 October 2020, protests and demonstrations against the results of the parliamentary elections began throughout Kyrgyzstan.
After the release of Japarov from a seized government building on 6 October, he was taken to Ala-Too Square in Bishkek where he sought appointment to become prime minister. Members of parliament staying at the Dostuk Hotel approved his appointment that night, but the opposition's nominee, Tilek Toktogaziev, declared himself to be the legitimate head of government. Toktogaziev asserted the election to be illegal, claiming that members were pressured by Japarov's supporters who had gathered near the hotel. Opponents of Japarov also highlighted the absence of a quorum and a violation of parliamentary procedure.
On 13 October, then-President Sooronbay Jeenbekov rejected Japarov's appointment as prime minister due to proxy voting occurring. Jeenbekov requested for the parliament to reconvene and vote again for the nomination; this happened the following day, with Japarov again winning parliamentary nomination. Japarov successfully was approved as prime minister by Jeenbekov, but he was initially unsuccessful in persuading the president to step down until a new general election could be held. The following day, on 15 October, Jeenbekov resigned from the presidency, leading Japarov to declare himself as acting president. Despite the Kyrgyzstan Constitution stating that the speaker of the Supreme Council should succeed to the office, Kanatbek Isaev refused to assume office, resulting in Japarov becoming the acting president. He was confirmed as president of Kyrgyzstan by parliament on 16 October 2020.
Diarchy with Kamchybek Tashiev
Since coming to power in 2020, Sadyr Japarov appointed his longtime friend Kamchybek Tashiev as the head of the State Committee for National Security, making him the second most-powerful official in Kyrgyzstan. Tashiev is infamously known for his explosive nature, threats against the opposition, the family clan in power in all areas of executive power, as well as reprisals against journalists.
Constitutional reforms
Japarov initiated a series of constitutional reforms which were criticized by journalists and human rights activists for establishing an absolute presidential system in Kyrgyzstan, as it allowed for a president to serve two consecutive terms and massively lowered the powers of parliament which earned nickname for a new draft for the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan as "Khan-stitution". In addition, the formation of People's Kurultai was compared to Turkmenistan's Khalk Maslakhaty (People's Council) with Article 7 of the new Kyrgyz constitution stating that "the highest deliberative, consultative and coordinating body of democracy is the People's Kurultai."
The changes were described by Associate Professor William Partlett of Melbourne Law School as moving "toward a form of presidentialism that is close to the authoritarian-style 'crown-presidentialism' in the post-Soviet Eurasian space." The amendments are opposed by both Kyrgyz experts and human rights activists, as well as international organizations, including the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. Kyrgyz deputy Omurbek Tekebayev and former Prime Minister Felix Kulov also compared the strengthening of the presidential powers and the introduction of the institution of the People's Kurultai with the usurpation of power in Turkmenistan. Former deputy Sadiq Sher-Niyaz said that the draft constitution is an attempt to seize power and lead to totalitarianism, he called on lawmakers to reject the new version of the Basic Law. After the adoption of the new Constitution following the 2021 constitutional referendum and the subsequent 2021 government system referendum, Kyrgyzstan dropped 50 positions in the freedom of speech rating.
Establishment of autocracy
Transparency International notes that in just four years, Kyrgyzstan has transformed from a stronghold of democracy with an active civil society into a consolidated authoritarian regime that uses its justice system to persecute those who criticize the government. This contributes to increased levels of corruption, as evidenced by a five-point decline in the country's index since 2020.
The Kyrgyz Republic worsened its position in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index in 2023, ranking 141st with a score of 26.
President of Kyrgyzstan (2021–present)
Kumtor Gold Mine
Since 2012, Japarov has advocated the nationalization of the Kumtor gold mine located in his native Issyk-Kul Region, and accused the management company, Centerra Gold, of environmental violations and corruption. His stance has earned him popularity among his fellow natives of the region.
On 14 May 2021, he signed into a bill allowing for temporary government control over the mine, eight days after it was approved by parliament. In response, Centerra Gold launched arbitration against Kyrgyzstan over the mine.
After the enterprise was nationalized and taken away from the Canadian company that had been developing it for almost 30 years, the Kumtor gold mining enterprise became unprofitable. Judging by the quarterly and annual reports published on the company's website, Kumtor became unprofitable in the first quarter of 2023.
Other
Japarov's first five executive orders were related to spiritual development, a new personnel policy, business protection, migration, and mining. On 11 February, Japarov signed a decree on the celebration of the 120th anniversary of the birth of political figure Zhusup Abdrakhmanov.
Foreign policy
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Japarov has emphasized his administration will have a "multipronged" foreign policy, with Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan being major partners under his leadership.
Japarov has suggested Kyrgyzstan pay off debt to China with mineral concessions.
On 2–3 March 2021, Japarov visited Nur-Sultan, where he held consultations with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and former president Nursultan Nazarbayev. Japarov secured a protocol aimed to ensure energy security of Kyrgyzstan by preventing Toktogul Reservoir from running out of water to a critical level. During the visit, Japarov said that "there are no political contradictions between our countries" and that "We have many common interests". He visited Tashkent a week later, where he and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev agreed to solve all border issues in three months.
In June 2021, Sadyr Japarov and his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov met to discuss the possibility of Turkmenistan supplying Kyrgyzstan with natural gas and electricity in the autumn and winter. At the time, Kyrgyzstan authorities had plans to convert the Bishkek coal-burning power plant to gas. On 17 June, Ulukbek Maripov, head of the Kyrgyz cabinet, stated his view that gas was too costly.
Russia
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Japarov has adopted a pro-Russia stance. His first plan for a trip to a foreign country while in office was to Russia on 25–26 February 2021.
The Open Dialog Foundation in May 2023 published a massive report entitled Russia's allies in the war against Ukraine. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are a reliable rear of the Russian army with attached materials. Open Dialog Foundation is headquartered in Brussels and is actively supported by the European Union. Report mentions Japarov as a person who is proposed to be sanctioned for helping Russia to circumvent sanctions. Some of the goods imported into Kyrgyzstan are not actually delivered to the declared destination. Since these goods are delivered to Kyrgyzstan from Europe through the territory of Russia, cargo carriers leave the goods in Russia, and in Kyrgyzstan they simply receive stamps that the goods were supposedly imported to Kyrgyzstan. This is confirmed by the Finnish national public broadcaster Yle, which in March 2023 reported, citing the head of the Finnish customs control, that some of the goods either remain in Russia on their way to Kyrgyzstan or are re-exported from Kyrgyzstan to Russia. The shipments were also investigated by representatives of Radio Liberty in Kyrgyzstan, about how companies in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan supply Western equipment to Russian firms associated with the war in Ukraine.
The Russian edition of Kommersant also announced on 9 August 2023, the construction of a complex with an area of 163 thousand square meters in the vicinity of Bishkek. m. for parallel import of goods to Russia. As experts note, its appearance will increase the volume of high-quality warehouses in Kyrgyzstan by almost four times. However, the warehouse builders deny all allegations.
Tajikistan
During the 2021 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan conflict, he led the Kyrgyz response to the clashes. On 30 April, he held a telephone conversation with the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, during which he agreed to participate in a face-to-face meeting in Dushanbe in the second half of May. He also proposed the creation of a peacekeeping commission composed of elders from both countries. Later that day, Japarov addressed the Kyrgyz people, where he called for calm particularly from youth, underlining that the Tajik leadership don't want a war with Kyrgyzstan, noting their experience in the Tajik Civil War. At the same time, he also accused "certain forces" of destabilizing the situation on the border. He declared 1 and 2 May as a period of nationwide mourning.
Adoption of Russian NGO Law
In 2024, Kyrgyzstan also adopted a new law on foreign agents, which completely copies a similar Russian law.
Prior to the adoption of this law, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made statements about the potential danger posed by foreign NGOs in Central Asia for Russian interests.
Sadyr Japarov became the main driver in promoting this law and publicly supported it.
The law gives prosecutors the power to extrajudicially declare foreign and international organizations "undesirable" in Kyrgyzstan and shut them down. Organizations are subject to heavy fines and lengthy prison sentences if they fail to dissolve when given notice to do so.
Allegations of corruption
Nepotism
Before his presidency, Japarov has repeatedly insisted that he was against the idea of his closest relatives to interfere in political processes, as well as to hold any high government positions.
The media have repeatedly written about the numerous relatives of Japarov, who have received high positions over the past two years: Almaz Akmatov became chairman of the Accounts Chamber, Tashtanbek Kaimazarov - head of the State Migration Service, Nurbek Alimov - head of the North-Eastern Customs. Another relative of the president, Akylbek Tumonbaev, is the leader of the Eldik parliamentary group, and Turusbek Tumonbaed is head of Bishkekasphaltservice. Investigative journalists also identified relatives of the head of state in the Vostokelectro company. Japarov's niece Perizat Japarova holds the position of Deputy Head of the Digital Development Department of the Presidential Administration.
Media censorship
Since the start of the presidency of Sadyr Japarov, Kyrgyzstan has dropped 50 positions in Reporters Without Borders' freedom of speech rating. Another case is the closure of the Kyrgyz Next TV channel, sanctioned by the authorities of Kyrgyzstan. Initially, the director of the TV channel was convicted for reprinting media material from Kazakhstan media, and later the owner of the channel, Ravshan Jeenbekov, and his wife were imprisoned in a pre-trial detention center.
Political activist and journalist of Next TV Adilet Baltabai was arrested for speaking out against the opening of a casino in Kyrgyzstan and sentenced to 5 years in court.
Kempir Abad case
More than 20 politician and political activists were arrested in October 2022. The arrests caused massive indignation on the part of the human rights and international community. The arrests were condemned by human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch, International Partnership for Human Rights, Amnesty International the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, and others. Activists stated that they were intimidated at meetings with authorities on border issues. Most of the nearly 20 arrested people are still in detention. After the detention, Sadyr Japarov told the mothers of the detained activists that they "should have raised their children better" and that "they themselves are to blame" President Sadyr Japarov together with head of SCNC were perceived as one of the lobbyists in the transfer of the Kempir-Abad reservoir to the possession of Uzbekistan, the preparation of the agreement was carried out in complete secrecy and this aroused the suspicions of the public masses. At a public hearing together with the president Japarov, head of Kyrgyz special services and friend of Sadyr Japarov - Kamchybek Tashiev - made a series of threats against politicians, saying “I have already registered five or six people. After, I will hit one or two in the teeth”, he said. On 3 May 2023, the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan dismissed Human Rights Ombudsman Atyr Abdrakhmatova ahead of schedule at the suggestion of the Ata-Jurt Kyrgyzstan parliamentary faction. On 19 April 2023, Atyr Abdrakhmatova presented her annual report on the situation of human rights in Kyrgyzstan, in which she pointed to the growing pressure on freedom of speech. Without listening to the Commissioner's report, the deputies voted to cancel the decision of the Committee on Constitutional Legislation of the Parliament of 18 April 2023 to take note of the report. Human rights activists suggest that the decision to early dismiss Atyr Abdrakhmatova from office is related to her activities to protect the rights of those politically persecuted in the case.
Relations with Bakiyev
With coming to power, Sadyr Japarov began to appoint people close to Kurmanbek Bakiyev to senior positions. So the former press secretary of Bakiyev, Nurlanbek Shakiev, became the speaker of parliament, Talantbek Imanov, the former driver of Maxim Bakiyev's best friend - Alexei Shirshov, Taalaibek Ibrayev, also a person from Maxim Bakiyev's entourage, became the Minister of Digital Development. The former assistant to Kurmanbek Bakiyev became the governor of the Naryn region. Alexei Shirshov, a friend of Maxim Bakiyev, who was the financial director of Electric Stations OJSC and then the chairman of the board of Dastan TNK OJSC, was also able to return to the country. Shirshov is known as the author of large-scale corruption schemes in the energy sector of Kyrgyzstan, which are called “Shirshov's schemes”. Shirshov was put on the wanted list by the previous authorities of Kyrgyzstan in Interpol, but was released under Sadyr Japarov immediately after his arrival in the country. Sadyr Japarov, who was the supreme commissioner in the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption, was repeatedly accused of raiding the "Issyk-Kul" bank in order to help the business empire of the son of the ousted dictator Kurmanbek Bakiyev - Maksim Bakiev. Sadyr Zhaparov's sister - Raikul Zhaparova - in alliance with Lithuanian businessman Mikhail Nadel, friend of Maksim Bakiyev, on August 10, 2007, at 2 am on August 11, 2007, forcibly seized the Issyk-Kul investment bank by breaking the lattice of the building window. Later, Raikul Japarova, becoming the nominal chairman of the Issyk-Kul bank, carried out all the instructions of Nadel to carry out all the activities. NBKR documents stated that through this bank, Sadyr Japarov and his sister laundered $5 billion for Maxim Bakiyev. ..... "He made a turnover of this money and pulled it out clean and took his interest", - stated Segizbayev.
Kurmanbek Bakiyev has been living in Belarus since 2010, fleeing with his family when he lost power in Kyrgyzstan. During clashes on April 7, 2010, weapons were used against the protesters and dozens of people died in the square near the White House. Despite the fact that criminal cases were initiated against members of the Bakiyev clan in his homeland, Alexander Lukashenko, president of Belarus, refused to extradite him to Kyrgyzstan. Over time, other relatives also moved to Belarus - the nephew of the former president Asylbek Saliev and the grandson - the son of Marat Bakiyev - Ruslan Bakiyev. In Belarus, the Bakiyevs live in luxury real estate and invest in state corporations and large businesses of Belarus.
Personal life
Japarov is married to Aigul Japarova (née Asanbaeva), who is five years his junior. She was born in the neighboring village to Japarov's in the Tüp District. During his acting presidency, she volunteered to help volunteers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also the father of four children, with his eldest son Dastan having died on 26 August 2019 in an accident. His father and mother died in September 2017 and March 2019, respectively, during his prosecution and prison term. In neither case was Japarov allowed by the State Penitentiary Service to attend the funeral. It is known that one of his brothers owns one of the coal mines in the north of the country.
Awards and honorifics
- Badge "Excellent Worker of the Soviet Army"
- In 2009, he was awarded the medal of the Issyk-Kul Regional State Administration "for merits and significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the Issyk-Kul region."
- In 2010, he was awarded the Medal "For Merit" of the Russian Union of Afghanistan Veterans
- In 2024, he was awarded the Order of Order of Friendship, 1st class for his contribution to the development and strengthening of bilateral relations.
He also holds the following titles:
- Honorary President of the Mixed Martial Arts Federation of Kyrgyzstan
See also
In Spanish: Sadyr Zhaparov para niños
