Gazeta.kg — News of Kyrgyzstan and Bishkek Today
Incidents

A criminal case has been initiated against police officers in the Uzgen district.

On January 3, 2026, in the Uzgen district, police officers from the Kurshab rural department, abusing their official powers, made an illegal detention of two individuals and used violence without the necessary procedural documentation. As a result of these actions, one of the detainees, A.B., suffered serious harm to his health. This information was announced by the press service of the General Prosecutor's Office. It was reported that on January 5, 2026, the Prosecutor's Office of

08.01.2026, 17:49
Bishkek is Again Among the Top Three Cities in the World with the Most Polluted Air
Society

Bishkek is Again Among the Top Three Cities in the World with the Most Polluted Air

The capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, once again ranks third in the list of the most polluted major cities in the world according to the Air Quality Index (AQI), according to the latest data from international monitoring. Currently, the AQI level in Bishkek is 281, which is classified as "very harmful to health." Leading this anti-rating is Lahore (Pakistan) with a threatening AQI of 398, which is considered life-threatening. Cairo (Egypt) is in second place with an AQI of 384. Experts

08.01.2026, 17:43
Exclusive

In Kyrgyzstan, mineral extraction amounted to 65.4 billion soms in the first 11 months of 2025.

- According to reports, the volume of industrial production in the Kyrgyz Republic for the first 11 months of 2025 at current prices reached 685.9 billion soms. In the mining sector, products worth 65.4 billion soms were produced during this period. The leading position in this area was held by the extraction of metallic ores, the volume of which amounted to 46 billion soms, highlighting its importance in the structure of industrial production. Other areas of the mining industry include:

08.01.2026, 17:36
Anti-immigration raid. Protests erupted in Minneapolis after the murder of a woman
Incidents

Anti-immigration raid. Protests erupted in Minneapolis after the murder of a woman

Mass protests occurred in downtown Minneapolis, triggered by the tragic death of a woman during an anti-immigration raid. The victim of the incident was 37-year-old Rene Nicole Good, who was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer while she was in her car. In response, several thousand people took to the streets, expressing their feelings in a mourning rally and chanting slogans against ICE's actions. The scene of the incident is located near where George Floyd was

08.01.2026, 17:35
Society

In Bishkek, a suspect in the sale of "synthetics" has been detained

In the Pervomaisky district of the capital of Kyrgyzstan, a young man suspected of selling synthetic drugs has been detained. This information was provided by the press service of the Main Internal Affairs Directorate. According to law enforcement agencies, on January 7, the Drug Control Service received a report about the alleged sale of drugs in the Pervomaisky district. As a result of this fact, the investigation department of the Pervomaisky District Internal Affairs initiated a criminal

08.01.2026, 17:30
Twenty Years Without Kyrgyz: What the Tough Signal from the Head of the State National Security Committee Was About
Politics / Exclusive

Twenty Years Without Kyrgyz: What the Tough Signal from the Head of the State National Security Committee Was About

The phrase of the Chairman of the State Committee for National Security Kamchybek Tashiev, addressed to representatives of the Chinese company China Road, became one of the most discussed topics in the public space at the end of 2025. The statement was made at a working meeting on the construction of the Barskoon — Karakol road in the Issyk-Kul region, but quickly went beyond the production episode and turned into a subject of broad public discussion. The occasion was Tashiev's harsh

08.01.2026, 17:04
Society

International experts have begun preparing a new nomination for the optimization of the buffer zone boundaries of "Sulaiman-Too"

On January 7, a meeting took place in Kyrgyzstan between the head of the Ministry of Culture, Mirbek Mambetaliev, and his deputy, Askaral Madaminov, with an international group of experts. Their visit was organized as part of the work on the UNESCO World Heritage site "Sacred Mountain – Sulayman-Too." According to the press service of the Ministry of Culture, the experts will be in the country from January 7 to 12. Their main goal is to develop new nominations that will help optimize

08.01.2026, 17:02
The Ministry of Construction of Kyrgyzstan commented on the video about the pits in the residential area "Altai"
Exclusive

The Ministry of Construction of Kyrgyzstan commented on the video about the pits in the residential area "Altai"

The Ministry provided an official comment regarding the construction works in the residential area 'Altai': In the videos circulating on social media, pits for the foundation filled with water are shown, which has raised concerns among citizens. However, the Ministry assures that engineering and geological surveys were conducted before the start of construction works, which determined the groundwater level. The project documentation includes appropriate engineering measures. In

08.01.2026, 16:59
Economy

Import of frozen fish increased by 7% in the first 10 months of 2025

- In the first ten months of 2025, the import of frozen fish to Kyrgyzstan increased by 7%. This is confirmed by information provided by the National Statistical Committee. According to the agency's data, from January to October 2025, the republic imported 3,700 tons of frozen fish, totaling 8.6 million dollars. Compared to the same period in 2024, when 3,500 tons of fish worth 7.1 million dollars were imported, there is an observed growth.

08.01.2026, 16:54
Exclusive

Results of 2025. Launched Large-Scale Projects

- The past year of 2025 became a turning point for Kyrgyzstan with the launch of several major infrastructure initiatives that promise to bring significant benefits to the country in the future. Among these projects are the construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, the implementation of the Eastern Bypass Road in Bishkek, and the Barskoon–Bedel road, as well as the commencement of the construction of the international airport in Manas.

08.01.2026, 16:53
The "Altai" Town Project in Bishkek Was Not Approved by the Institute of Seismology - NAS
Society

The "Altai" Town Project in Bishkek Was Not Approved by the Institute of Seismology - NAS

Photo courtesy of the press service of the PCR Kanat Abdrakhmatov, president of the National Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan, announced on social media that the residential town project "Altai" in Bishkek was not approved by the Seismology Institute of the NAS KR. He emphasized that the construction of a large residential complex is taking place in a seismically hazardous area. This information prompted his comment, as a video surfaced on social media showing that the excavated

08.01.2026, 16:34
Society

One of the symbols of Mayor Myrzakmatov's rule is being dismantled

In Osh, at the intersection of Gapar Aitieva and Bekmamat Osmonov streets, the process of dismantling the monument to Barsbek-Kagan has begun. According to information from the city hall, the dismantling work is scheduled for January 8, 2026. "Barsbek-Kagan will be relocated. Initially, a place for its new location was determined, but another monument is planned to be installed there. Therefore, Barsbek-Kagan will be installed in another, yet to be determined location. At the moment, the

08.01.2026, 16:30
Society

The Ministry of Construction commented on the situation regarding the construction of the "Altai" town.

The Ministry of Construction, Architecture, and Housing and Communal Services commented on the situation with the construction of "Altai," located on the outskirts of Bishkek. Recently, images appeared on social media showing that the excavated pits at the construction site were filled with groundwater, creating the illusion of a pool. In response, the Ministry of Construction stated that prior to the start of work in this area, appropriate engineering and geological surveys were

08.01.2026, 16:10
Society

Residents of the village of Kara-Küngöy gifted the imam a ticket for Umrah and shared a story about his grandfather

Residents of the village of Kara-Küngöy in the Kochkor district of the Naryn region have shown generosity by gifting Imam Kumarbek Keramaev a pilgrimage ticket for Umrah, reports Turmush correspondent. By the decision of the clan elders and with the consent of the local residents, it was decided to collect 1000 soms from each household. The collected funds were used to purchase a 14-day pilgrimage ticket for Imam K. Keramaev.

08.01.2026, 16:08
Society

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic reported details about the visa deposit for Kyrgyz citizens traveling to the USA.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic has announced the introduction of a visa bond for those planning to visit the United States. Starting from January 21, 2026, citizens of several countries, including Kyrgyzstan, will be required to pay a financial bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The specific amount will be determined by the consular officer during the interview. Applicants will also need to submit Form I-352 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security only at the

08.01.2026, 16:00
Optimization of the Buffer Zone "Sulaiman-Too". UNESCO Experts Arrive in Kyrgyzstan
Society

Optimization of the Buffer Zone "Sulaiman-Too". UNESCO Experts Arrive in Kyrgyzstan

On January 7, the Minister of Culture, Mirbek Mambetaliev, held a meeting with international experts regarding the UNESCO World Heritage site "Sulaiman-Too." This information was released by the press service of the Ministry of Culture. Specialists arrived in Kyrgyzstan to participate in a project aimed at optimizing the boundaries of the Sulaiman-Too buffer zone, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Their work will take place from January 7 to 12.

08.01.2026, 15:33
Sale of the former Prince Andrew's mansion to Kazakh oligarch Kuliayev for £15 million is linked to a bribery scheme, - BBC investigation
World

Sale of the former Prince Andrew's mansion to Kazakh oligarch Kuliayev for £15 million is linked to a bribery scheme, - BBC investigation

During an investigation conducted by the BBC, it was revealed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor received a large sum from a Kazakh oligarch using money from a company accused of corruption. Timur Kulibayev, a billionaire from Kazakhstan, confirmed through his lawyers that he used a loan from Enviro Pacific Investments to acquire Andrew's former mansion. The Italian prosecutor's office established that in 2007 this company received cash through bribery. Just a few weeks after the last

08.01.2026, 15:32
Society

President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic: The construction of the "Altai" town was not coordinated with the Institute of Seismology

According to Abdrakhmatov, he recently learned about the construction of "Altai" through social media. He emphasized that the high levels of groundwater in this area have been known for a long time, and any construction requires careful engineering solutions and approvals. Nevertheless, the project, which includes 1,500 five-story buildings, did not undergo the necessary expertise at the Institute of Seismology. Abdrakhmatov expressed surprise that such large-scale construction had

08.01.2026, 15:27