Week-24. Corruption at the Border, and When the Orozо Begins

Яна Орехова Local news
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Week-24. Corruption at the border, and when Ramadan begins
The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan has announced that in 2026, the month of Ramadan (Orozo ayi) will begin on February 19. Fasting will start on this date, and on the evening of February 18, the first taraweeh prayer will be held in mosques across the country, traditionally preceding the holy month.

A campaign has started in Kyrgyzstan for the submission of tax declarations for the year 2025. It will be carried out in two stages: until April 1 for legal entities, government and municipal employees, and until May 1 for individuals and individual entrepreneurs. Declarations must be submitted electronically through the "taxpayer's cabinet" on the website Cabinet.salyk.kg.






The State Committee for National Security (SCNS) has detained the head of the "Dostuk-automobile" checkpoint in the Osh region. During the investigation, it was revealed that this officer had created a bribery system from foreigners, creating artificial queues and receiving money for unhindered passage. The detainee also provided protection to individuals engaged in illegal activities at the border. The security service continues to investigate who else among officials is involved in this scheme.

The Ministry of Construction has begun implementing a large-scale project to build 20 educational institutions in the capital. New schools and buildings will be constructed in all districts of the city: 6 facilities in the Oktyabrsky and Lenin districts, 5 in the Pervomaysky, and 3 in the Sverdlovsky. The project is funded from the republican budget and will help alleviate the overcrowding of educational institutions in Bishkek.

The projected budget revenues for Bishkek will amount to 32 billion 873 million 616.8 thousand soms, of which nearly 24 billion will come from taxes. Expenditures will fully cover revenues, and a significant portion of funds will be directed to the salary fund for educators. In the long term, the city's budget is expected to grow to 40.4 billion soms by 2028.

Photo 24.kg. Parking in Bishkek
In Bishkek, payment for parking will only be made through QR codes. This was announced by the director of the municipal enterprise "City Road Transport Infrastructure" Bakai Asylbek uulu. According to him, there are 3,221 parking spaces in the capital, and a pilot project for implementing QR codes for parking is ongoing to eliminate the need for parking attendants.

The volume of remittances from Russia to Kyrgyzstan reached a record $2.99 billion, which is 16.7% more compared to the 11 months of 2025.

The Cabinet of Ministers is introducing strict standards for pawnshops. The new decree provides for a phased increase in the minimum charter capital: from 3 million soms in 2025 to 20 million soms by July 2028. It is expected that this will help cleanse the market of small players and protect citizens' property. The reform also involves strengthening control over reporting and combating money laundering. Pawnshops have been given 6 months to adapt, while the SCNS is already conducting a full audit of them.

The Ministry of Education has clarified the rules for enrolling children as part of the educational reform. In the new academic year 2026/2027, all children who reach the age of six will be admitted to the first grade of the 12-year school. The department has denied rumors that seven-year-old children can immediately move to the second grade. Specialists have prepared a unified curriculum, and a working group is developing a concept for specialized training for high school students.

Other interesting and important events are covered by journalists 24.kg in the review “Week-24”.

How to obtain a taxi license: necessary documents and process



Photo from the internet. The start of taxi license checks has been postponed from February 2 to July 1
The deadline for mandatory licensing of taxi drivers in Kyrgyzstan has been extended to July 1, 2026. Authorities warn that the new rules will become mandatory, and the licensing process requires time and adherence to official procedures. Initially, it was planned to start checking licenses on February 2, but at that time only about 8,000 individuals and 300 legal entities had obtained them.

Traders of the Osh market: fear of paid relocation


The project to relocate the Osh market from the center of the capital raises concerns among traders. For the authorities, this is a step to alleviate Bishkek, for tourists — an exotic experience, and for thousands of sellers — the only way to support their families. Journalists 24.kg visited the market to understand why some are ready to relocate while others are preparing to close. The issue is not only about rent but also about trust in the authorities.

Problems with extending Profsoyuznaya street through the cemetery in Novopavlovka



Photo 24.kg. The cemetery through which they want to lay the road
The village of Novopavlovka, recently annexed to Bishkek, may lose part of its cemetery due to the extension of Profsoyuznaya street. This project aims to alleviate traffic flow to the new Osh market, the Western bus station, and Manas Airport. Currently, the demolition of illegal structures along the new road is underway, but the cemetery, where the villagers' loved ones are buried, is becoming an obstacle.

How a homeless Brit survives winter in Bishkek


In a small garage in the center of Bishkek, 62-year-old homeless Brit Scott Friday has been living for several months. Compassionate people have provided him with temporary shelter, but conditions remain extremely harsh: there is no electricity in the garage, and it is very cold. Nevertheless, he does not lose hope of surviving the winter, and a young man named Ulan is helping him to minimally arrange this place.

Edil Baisalov “without filter”: freedom of speech and social issues



Photo of the Cabinet of Ministers. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Edil Baisalov
In the studio of 24.kg, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Edil Baisalov, who is responsible for social issues, answered many pressing questions without prior preparation. The discussion topics covered a wide range of issues: from criticism from human rights defenders regarding his political "evolution" to problems of freedom of speech, rising prices, the housing crisis in Bishkek, the shortage of doctors, and school reform.

Sadyk Sher-Niyaz: UNESCO as a strategy for the future


Sadyk Sher-Niyaz, Kyrgyzstan's ambassador to France and permanent representative to UNESCO, is a unique figure in domestic diplomacy. He confidently discusses cultural policy, architecture, and the green economy. In an interview with 24.kg, he explained why Kyrgyzstan needs the Executive Council of UNESCO, how a yurt can become the basis for modern homes, and how Bishkek is building dialogue with the West during a complex geopolitical period.

Kiril Khomyakov: KR as a crypto hub of the region



Photo 24.kg. Kiril Khomyakov (left) and Maxim Poletayev
Kiril Khomyakov, regional head of Binance for Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Africa, in an exclusive interview with 24.kg discussed why Kyrgyzstan has become a priority for the company, what cryptocurrency means "in simple terms," how newcomers can avoid scams, and why the country needs a digital som.

Personnel changes in the Chinese army: opinions of international experts


Recently, significant personnel and political changes have been occurring within the army and elite in China. Experts claim that these "purges" could impact not only regional security but also global geopolitics. To find out what the world media is saying and what the potential consequences are, you can read the material from 24.kg.

Ballerina Polina Kamysheva: return to her homeland



Photo from the interviewee's archive. Polina Kamysheva
Polina Kamysheva, born in Bishkek in 2004, moved with her family to Russia at the age of five. Initially, it was planned that they would stay there forever, but due to the unstable situation, they returned to their homeland several years ago. Now Polina is a ballerina at the Kyrgyz National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet named after Abdylas Maldybaev, and she has upcoming tours and plans related to Kyrgyzstan.

Increase in musicians' fees in Kyrgyzstan


The modern music scene in Kyrgyzstan is actively developing, and along with it, the royalties for the use of songs on the radio, in cafes, restaurants, and other public places are increasing. As reported by 24.kg, in the Ministry of Science, Higher Education, and Innovations, payments to Kyrgyz authors have significantly increased over the past three years.

Fear of HPV vaccination



Photo from personal archive. Cholpon Abdilova
Every year, discussions about the vaccination of girls against the human papillomavirus (HPV) take place in parents' WhatsApp groups. Teachers inform about vaccination plans, and discussions often become heated. Many mothers are wary of the vaccine, considering it "the machinations of the West." To clarify the validity of parents' fears, we spoke with gynecologist and endocrinologist Cholpon Abdilova.

Series of the next week: from thrillers to comedies


Next week (February 9 - 15), viewers can expect a variety of genres: the return of iconic detectives, ecological dramas based on real events, and comedic thrillers. From the dusty roads of the American Southwest in the 1970s to futuristic multiverses — we have gathered the most interesting premieres and continuations of beloved shows.
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