Purge at the State Committee for National Security: staff detained in connection with a case of extortion from businesses

The anti-corruption campaign within law enforcement agencies in Kyrgyzstan continues, with current staff members of the State Committee for National Security now under investigation.

The State Committee for National Security (SCNS) reported the detention on 9 April of three officers — A.K., A.A.B. and K.D.K. They have been remanded in custody as part of a criminal case concerning corruption. According to the investigation, evidence has been uncovered of systematic extortion of money from business owners.

Along with them, representatives of other state bodies — S.U.Zh., O.G.I. and K.U.N. — who participated in business inspections and were involved in unlawful activities, have also been detained.

The agency states that it is carrying out a large-scale ‘purge’ of staff to increase transparency and combat corruption. Measures are being considered to prohibit the re-employment of those dismissed for misconduct.