In Kyrgyzstan, the head of the State Committee for National Security, Kamchybek Tashiev, announced during a Jogorku Kenesh meeting on January 10 that businessman Imamidin Tashov is wanted on suspicion of plotting an “attempted coup.”
The announcement came in response to Tashov’s earlier statement, shared on social networks by activist Tilekmat Kurenov, claiming that he was detained on December 27 by individuals identifying themselves as State Committee for National Security employees. Tashov alleged that he was held captive and pressured to pay an additional 100 million soms, following the 52 million soms he had previously paid in connection with a criminal case initiated against him in October 2023.
In his address, Tashiev countered Tashov’s version, asserting that Tashov was planning a coup while in pre-trial detention and communicating with Kurenov. Tashiev claimed that these conversations, authorized by a court decision, were recorded by the intelligence service.
According to Tashiev, Tashov’s detention stemmed from complaints by residents of a Bishkek house who had been living without receiving property documentation. They alleged that Tashov, the property owner, treated their residence as industrial facilities, leading to excessive utility charges. Tashiev explained that upon investigation, it was confirmed that the residents’ claims were valid, resulting in Tashov’s detention. Although Tashov paid 52 million soms for the damage caused to Bishkek, he now faced an additional demand for 100 million soms.
Despite paying the initial sum, Tashov’s alleged involvement in coup-related discussions prompted authorities to keep him under surveillance. The State Committee for National Security has officially put Tashov on the wanted list, vowing to apprehend him, whether in Kyrgyzstan or abroad, for his purported role in plotting to overthrow the Kyrgyz government.
