“We are not interested in the number of cases, but in their legal soundness,” said the head of the State Committee for National Security

The review of criminal cases in Kyrgyzstan is linked to legal audits and the need to comply with procedural rules. This was stated by the head of the State Committee for National Security, Zhumgalbek Shabdanbekov, while commenting on the “thaw” currently being discussed in society regarding a number of cases.

According to him, the review of decisions falls outside the exclusive jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies and is carried out with the participation of the judicial system and supervisory bodies.

“Legally speaking, the State Committee for National Security does not have the authority to unilaterally make decisions regarding the restriction of citizens’ freedom or the confiscation of property,” he emphasized, adding that procedural decisions by the courts and the prosecutor’s office play a key role.

Shabdanbekov noted that the current changes are a result of identified procedural violations, investigative errors, or insufficient evidence. In such cases, the law requires the correction of previously adopted decisions.

“We are not interested in the number of cases, but in their legal soundness,” the agency head stated. In his view, the ongoing changes should be seen as a return to strict adherence to the law, rather than a shift in approach due to external pressure.

He also emphasized that the term “political persecution” should not be applied to the agency’s activities. The main functions of the State Committee for National Security, he said, remain unchanged—ensuring security, protecting the constitutional order, and combating crime.