Documentary Series About Sadyr Japarov
At the beginning of January, a documentary series titled "President," created by journalist Aibek Biibosunov, was presented. The series includes four episodes and covers the most important political events since October 2020, including the formation of the current government and the fight against organized crime.The focus is on the activities of the president, the government, and law enforcement agencies. While many claims have been voiced before, the series presents new details.
One of the most discussed moments was the statements of Kamchybek Tashiev, head of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB), who emphasized that he has no ambitions for the presidency and associates his relationship with Japarov solely with personal friendship.
The film also highlights events from October 2020, when Japarov rejected a compromise to preserve the power of Sooronbay Jeenbekov, fearing a repeat crisis.
Serious attention is given to issues of crime fighting, where statements about the scale of organized crime's influence and the difficulties faced by law enforcement are made.
New Visa Requirements from the U.S.
In January, the U.S. administration introduced new requirements for Kyrgyz citizens wishing to obtain visas. The State Department included Kyrgyzstan in the list of countries whose citizens may be required to post a bond when applying for a B1/B2 visa as part of a pilot Visa Bond program. These changes took effect on January 21, 2026, and are aimed at combating overstaying.The bond amount ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 and is determined on an individual basis. Posting a bond does not guarantee visa approval, and refunds are only possible if all visa regime conditions are met. In case of violations, the bond is not refunded. The new rules also require that entry into the U.S. occurs only through the airports of Boston, New York, and Washington.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan confirmed the introduction of the new rules and expressed concern about their impact on business and tourist trips.
Amid the new visa requirements, the proposal by Deputy Prime Minister Edil Baisalov to reconsider the visa-free regime for U.S. citizens also drew reactions.
Additionally, reports emerged about the suspension of immigration visa issuance to citizens of 75 countries, including Kyrgyzstan, due to a reassessment of visa procedures.
Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev confirmed that the restrictions do not apply to those already legally in the U.S., but acknowledged that the visa bond is a significant burden for most citizens. Consultations with the American side are ongoing, but no changes were announced by the end of January.
Declarations of Public Officials
In January, the State Tax Service presented data on the income and expenses of public officials and their families. These declarations allow for an assessment of the financial situation of officials, although in some cases, information about expenses is missing, and information about national security agency employees is not subject to disclosure.Sadyr Japarov (for 2025). According to the State Tax Service, the president earned 2,214,482.38 soms in 2025, but no expense data was provided. His assets included:
- a business center with an area of 2,627 sq. m;
- a land plot of 0.63 hectares;
- a garden plot of 2,125 sq. m;
- a passenger car worth 100,000 soms.
Leadership of the Jogorku Kenesh (for 2024). The State Tax Service published consolidated data on the income and expenses of parliamentary leaders. In particular, Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu's income and expenses of his relatives, as well as information about real estate and movable property, were indicated.
Mini-table of key data:
Who is absent from the State Tax Service reports. The declarations of the head of the GKNB and Deputy Prime Minister Kamchybek Tashiev, as well as several ministers, were not published. The State Tax Service explained that information about individuals related to national security is not subject to public disclosure.
Declaration of Deputy Shairbek Tashiev. It was separately reported that Deputy Shairbek Tashiev declared movable property worth 12 billion 637 million soms with an income of 2.5 million soms for 2024, but details were not specified.
Control and Responsibility. The Prosecutor General's Office reported that 2,882 officials were held accountable for violations in the submission of declarations for 2024, with a total fine amounting to 13 million 674 thousand soms.
Reasons for the Rise in Prices for State Mortgages
The issue of housing costs from the State Mortgage Company became relevant again in January, with questions raised at the kurultai and comments from the president. Authorities acknowledge that prices per square meter are rising but assert that GIK housing is still cheaper than on the private market.President's Opinion: "We will go bankrupt if we do not raise prices." In response to criticism of prices, Sadyr Japarov stated that mortgage programs are designed for 25 years without a down payment, and interest rates depend on the borrower's category.
- "Social" and "subsidized mortgage" — 4% per annum for 25 years without a down payment.
- "Cheap mortgage" for the private sector — 8% for 25 years without a down payment.
- "Joint construction" — $1,000–$1,400 per sq. m, depending on the location, turnkey.
Prices and Construction Volumes. Speaking at the handing over of keys in the "Muras" residential complex, Japarov explained that the cost of construction in Bishkek and the Chui region is about $700 per sq. m, and GIK adds about $250, resulting in housing being sold for $950. He also noted that similar housing from private developers would cost no less than $1,500 per sq. m.
In 2025, 4,662 families received housing, while in 2024, 1,197 families did. Currently, more than 80,000 apartments are under construction across the country, and over 20,000 apartments are planned to be commissioned in various regions by 2026.
In January, 1,080 families received keys to the second phase of the "Muras" residential complex. The complex includes 4,754 apartments and 2,500 parking spaces, but the issue of parking remains unresolved.
Refusal to Obtain an Apartment. After the keys were handed over, Kaktus.media gathered the main reasons for refusals from GIK, including the presence of housing at the time of approaching the queue, real estate transactions in the last three years, lack of official employment, or moving abroad for permanent residence. Each case is considered individually, and having active loans without delays is not an obstacle.
The Market and Social Issues. Aman Kebekov, a specialist from the State Agency for Land Resources, stated that GIK housing construction has slowed the rise in prices in the market; however, price increases continue due to rising construction material costs and a lack of land plots. Deputy Temirlan Aitieev criticized the situation regarding land transformation for GIK projects, pointing out that people who have long awaited free plots are essentially receiving only quotas and are forced to buy apartments under general conditions.
Replacement of Lifelong Licenses
A mass replacement of lifelong driver's licenses of the old model has begun in Kyrgyzstan. The initially free exchange was planned from January 15 to February 15, but the campaign was later extended. During the campaign, citizens exchanging lifelong licenses are exempt from the requirement for a medical certificate of form 083.Now, lifelong licenses are no longer valid, and new licenses are issued for a period of ten years. Licenses issued in 2009–2012 are subject to mandatory replacement.
Cancellation of Certificate 083. The President's Chief of Staff Kanaybek Tumanbaev stated that holders of lifelong licenses can exchange them for free and without certificate 083, which was prompted by the rush and queues at medical centers in Bishkek.
Exchange Process. The State Enterprise "Unaa" reported that the free exchange is conducted only in offline mode for holders of lifelong licenses. In the first days of the campaign, queues and limited capacity at departments were observed in Bishkek.
Online replacement through the "Tunduk" portal is temporarily unavailable due to modernization, but it is planned to be restored after the update.
Paid Replacement After the Campaign. The State Enterprise "Unaa" noted that after the end of the free campaign, the replacement of lifelong licenses will be possible on a paid basis, with the service costing 779 soms.
Reasons for Replacing Lifelong Licenses. Authorities explain the need for replacement by stating that old licenses are not digitized, have weak security features, and are not accepted in some countries. After the campaign ends, such documents will be deemed invalid.
Presidential Decree. It was later reported that President Sadyr Japarov signed a decree on a temporary national campaign for the free replacement of lifelong driver's licenses, which will last until a separate decision by the authorized body is made and will be conducted without attracting additional budget funds.
Diplomatic Scandal Over Solovyov's Statements
The statement by Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov regarding the possibility of Russia's military intervention in the internal affairs of Armenia and Central Asia caused a resonance and official reactions in several countries in the region.These words, spoken on the air of a Russian state television channel, were perceived as a signal of foreign policy and provoked a negative reaction.
Armenia reacted most harshly: the country's Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Sergey Kopyrkin and handed him a note of protest, pointing out the inadmissibility of such statements within the framework of allied relations.
In Kyrgyzstan, Solovyov's words also sparked discussion. Deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh Dastan Bekeshev proposed declaring the TV host a persona non grata, while the president's administration urged not to give too much importance to the journalist's opinion. The president's press secretary Askat Alagozov called the statement "empty and unserious," noting that Solovyov is not an official figure.
Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev stated that Bishkek does not see the need to amplify attention to provocative statements in the media landscape, emphasizing that real relationships are built at the level of official institutions and international organizations.
In Moscow, the situation was commented on by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Maria Zakharova noted that Russia's official position is expressed only by authorized persons, urging not to perceive television remarks as the state line.
Construction of Football Fields in the Botanical Garden
In Bishkek, a dispute erupted in January over the construction of two mini-football fields in the territory of the E. Gareev Botanical Garden. The work is being carried out by the Presidential Administration at the central entrance from 7 April Street, where the foundation has already been poured and the installation of fencing has begun.The administration of the Botanical Garden and the National Academy of Sciences reported that construction is taking place on a rocky site where plants previously did not thrive, and the area of the fields is about 16 hundredths - less than 0.2% of the garden's territory. Authorities also reported on parallel reconstruction: drilling wells, implementing drip irrigation, arranging paths, lighting, and video surveillance.
Deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh Dastan Bekeshev protested against the project, calling the Botanical Garden "the lungs of the city" and reminding of its status as a specially protected natural area. His position was supported by ecologists and some residents. A petition for the preservation of the Botanical Garden appeared on social media, signed by over a thousand people.
The president's administration responded to the criticism, calling it populism, stating that the territory had been neglected, and that a sports zone is being created for the residents, with revenues from its operation directed towards the maintenance of the garden. President of the National Academy of Sciences Kanat Abdrakhmatov emphasized that the scientific part of the Botanical Garden will not be harmed.
Despite the protests, the construction of mini-fields continued, and authorities announced plans to complete the landscaping by summer.
Long Training Periods in Driving Schools
In Kyrgyzstan, a significant increase in the training periods for drivers has been announced: training for category B will now take ten months, while for category C it will take 12 months. This was stated by the president's chief of staff Kanaybek Tumanbaev and his deputy Boobek Salimzhanov, explaining it as a response to the rise in accident rates and the need to improve driver training.Salimzhanov reported that the category B program is designed for 480 hours, including theory, traffic rules, vehicle structure, basics of safe driving, first aid, and legal norms. Enrollment for training was planned to be organized through the "Tunduk" app. Authorities also warned that "bypassing" training and the sale of documents are no longer permissible.
This decision drew criticism in parliament. Deputy Dastan Bekeshev stated that such durations might push young people to study abroad. Deputy Bolot Ibragimov also noted that the issue of traffic accidents is primarily related to corruption rather than the length of training.
Authorities assert that the main goal of the reform is safety. President Sadyr Japarov stated in an interview with "Kabar" that previously licenses were "bought," and longer training is necessary to enhance road safety.
Additionally, the operation of private driving schools has been suspended. The president signed a decree stating that from January 30 to August 30, 2026, training will only be conducted in state driving schools. The cost of training is 19,000 soms, and students bear the costs of fuel themselves.
Simultaneously, authorities announced the introduction of traffic rules lessons in general education schools. Society is divided in opinion about the reform: some citizens consider it excessive, while authorities insist on its necessity to combat previous corrupt practices.
Interview with Syimyk Japykayev
Former head of the State Service for Combating Economic Crimes Syimyk Japykayev gave an almost three-hour interview to journalist Ernist Kyazov, after which Kyazov was invited for a conversation at the GKNB. In the interview, Japykayev discussed politics, the events of October 2020, and criticism of the authorities, as well as his statements about the works of Chinghiz Aitmatov, which caused significant public resonance.Events of October 2020. Japykayev stated that if it weren't for the protests on October 4, Sadyr Japarov "would have remained in the colony," claiming that the rallies occurred first, and then his supporters took him out of the colony. He also mentioned that after the events of October, his team held the White House until the building was handed over to Japarov.
Statements about Aitmatov's Works. His comments about Chinghiz Aitmatov's works, referred to as "five kopeck stories," sparked a wave of discussions. Calls were made in the Jogorku Kenesh to give a legal assessment of these statements, and the Ministry of Culture and the Union of Writers of Kyrgyzstan also reacted.
Later, Japykayev stated that he did not mean to insult the writer but merely expressed his opinion on literature.
Statement about $10,000 from Japarov. In the podcast, Japykayev also mentioned that after the October events, he received $10,000 from Sadyr Japarov "as support," but did not specify exact dates.
Reaction from the President's Administration. The head of the information policy service of the president's administration, Daiyrbek Orunbekov, refuted Japykayev's words that the president was "surrounded by several people," calling it a lie and urging not to spread slander.
Journalist's Summons to GKNB. After the publication of the interview, Ernist Kyazov reported that he was invited to the GKNB, where the conversation was calm and lasted about an hour and a half.
Accusations Against Eldar Suylmanov of Domestic Violence
In January, a scandal erupted in Kyrgyzstan following statements by Asel Azamatova, who accused her ex-husband - Deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh Eldar Suylmanov - of systematic domestic violence.Azamatova stated that she had been subjected to physical and psychological abuse since 2018, including during her pregnancy, and had repeatedly turned to the police, but to no avail. She published photos with bruises on social media and spoke about the violence in front of children.
Following the publications, the Ministry of Internal Affairs began an investigation and promised to review all previously submitted statements. Azamatova noted that she had previously raised this issue but had refused to continue due to fear.
Eldar Suylmanov denied the accusations, claiming they are the result of a prolonged family conflict. He referred to the presumption of innocence, noted the absence of court decisions, and expressed readiness for an objective investigation.
