The Chairman of the State Committee for National Security, Jumgalbek Shabdanbekov, answered questions from "Evening Bishkek" in his first interview after his appointment.
- Major General, congratulations on your appointment and confirmation in office by the Jogorku Kenesh. Deputy Irysbek Atazhanov rightly noted that you should not linger on discussions, as there is much work ahead. What changes do you plan within the framework of the initiated reform?
- Thank you for the congratulations. You are absolutely right; currently, structural and organizational reforms are being implemented in the system of national security agencies in Kyrgyzstan. These changes have a systematic approach and aim to create an effective, mobile, and professional structure capable of ensuring national security and protecting the constitutional order of the country, taking into account current international challenges.
The reforms are being carried out in stages, in compliance with legislation and considering the priorities of state policy in the field of security. Structural changes have already been implemented: divisions of state protection and the Border Service have been separated and organized as independent entities from the GKNB. Within the framework of organizational and staffing reforms, the focus will be on optimizing personnel numbers, redistributing responsibilities, improving analytical work, and strengthening human resources. Great attention is also being paid to discipline, personal responsibility, moral and spiritual preparation of employees, as well as the introduction of modern management methods.
Moreover, during these transformations, the main emphasis will be placed on traditional methods of operational and analytical work.
It is necessary to depoliticize the GKNB, freeing it from the influence of political parties and ideologies. The State Committee should not be a tool of political struggle.
The next key point is the professionalization of the structure, which implies prioritizing professional skills over political loyalty when appointing to leadership positions.
In the future, the GKNB will purposefully eradicate manifestations of tribalism and regionalism, basing appointments and decisions solely on professional qualities. Otherwise, especially in law enforcement agencies, conditions may arise for the persecution of dissenters and an increase in corruption, which the GKNB is actively fighting against, undermining operational activities and potentially leading to negative consequences for the reputation of security agencies. The system will move from geographical ties to a logic of competencies, which will ultimately be a step towards a more mature political model.
Quality reforms in the GKNB imply transitioning the agency onto legal rails — from outdated rigid methods to legal and civil approaches to governance and ensuring state security. We must move away from fear and create a modern national service that corresponds to current realities.
President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov rightly noted that much has been done in the fight against corruption in Kyrgyzstan over the past five years, but anti-corruption policy has largely depended on the specific leader and the law enforcement block, which yielded quick results but did not ensure sustainability. Society has become accustomed to visible struggles, and the reform of the GKNB includes a shift to quieter, procedural work with clear rules and inevitability of punishment. The optimal combination of publicity and building an anti-corruption system will yield the best results.
- What are the other functions of the special services? Kyrgyz citizens have the impression that the GKNB controls all spheres of public and political life.
- The GKNB is engaged in identifying, preventing, and suppressing the intelligence and subversive activities of foreign special services in Kyrgyzstan; combating terrorism, extremism, corruption, and organized crime; ensuring information security and protecting the constitutional order; within its powers, it informs the president, the speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh, the chairman of the cabinet of ministers, and other state bodies about national threats…
The term "curator" is often misinterpreted. In fact, it refers to an employee who, according to functional responsibilities, accompanies certain processes and protects the interests of national security in entrusted areas, suppressing intelligence and subversive activities.
According to the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, national security agencies operate on the basis of and in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the country. In particular, the GKNB is guided by the Constitution, the Law on National Security, the Law on Operational-Search Activities, the Criminal Code, and the Criminal Procedure Code, as well as decrees and orders of the President as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
Thus, the GKNB carries out its activities strictly within the framework of the Constitution and relevant laws.
- So, your agency will not substitute tax and audit bodies or unjustifiably pressure entrepreneurs?
- I will do everything possible to ensure that the activities of the GKNB are based on the principles of legality, transparency, and accountability. All divisions of the GKNB have already received strict written instructions prohibiting interference in business. National security agencies should focus on ensuring economic security and combating corruption, while interaction with business should be based on the principles of legality and trust.
- Speaking of demonstrativeness, Sadyr Japarov instructed law enforcement officers: "In the fight against crime and corruption, act without 'mask shows', calmly and professionally." Why do detentions of GKNB employees suspected of exceeding their authority occur without noise? Are the president's instructions being followed?
- I am also against "mask shows." The activities of special services require secrecy and non-publicity. As for former GKNB employees suspected of exceeding their authority, investigations are being conducted under the president's instructions in conjunction with the Military Prosecutor's Office and the Main Investigation Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. All actions strictly comply with the law, and results will be required continuously.
It is also necessary to mention the businessmen in pre-trial detention. There have been no mass arrests, only isolated cases when state interests are involved. At the same time, pressure on the investigation in the interests of specific individuals is unacceptable.
-Deputy Dastan Bekeshov raised the issue of revising the blocking of "TikTok." What is your opinion on this? What threats may arise?
- Currently, the most important tasks are combating cybercrime and organized crime, and fighting cyberterrorism.
As you know, some social networks, including "TikTok," are becoming popular among youth, but they also openly promote negative phenomena such as drugs and gambling. In August 2023, the Ministry of Culture initiated the blocking of "TikTok" in the country, and in April 2024, access to the service was officially closed, as the administrators did not comply with child protection legislation. The platform remains accessible, but we are recording active use of VPNs to bypass blocks.
The decision to block was made after numerous complaints from citizens and deputies pointing to unacceptable content that does not correspond to the Kyrgyz mentality.
The future of children is more important than any social network. No digital platform can be more important than the health and education of the younger generation.
The GKNB conducts analysis and monitoring of social networks to identify and prevent the spread of harmful content, especially for children and adolescents, including the promotion of violence and drugs.
- Can we hope that the GKNB will finally rid itself of those who discredit it?
- I will reiterate: everything within my power will be done. Individuals who have committed violations have already been dismissed, and their actions will be legally assessed. There will be no untouchables in government agencies, and everyone will be held accountable for their actions.
The State Committee will continue its lawful fight against corruption and organized crime without "mask shows."
Overall, the reform of the GKNB is aimed at adapting to modern challenges, enhancing intelligence activities, combating terrorism and corruption, protecting information and economic security, as well as improving internal structure and increasing the prestige of the agency. We strive to create a structure comparable to the leading intelligence agencies in the world.
