Kyrgyz Ex-Security Chief Tashiev Gets Open Trial but Shuns Media

The trial over the preparation for a violent seizure of power (the "75 case") is taking place under conditions of isolation of the main defendant, despite the official transition of hearings to an open regime. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Former Chairman of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan Kamchybek Tashiev, whose defense had actively demanded the declassification of case materials in recent months, now completely ignores journalists' questions and refuses public statements after the motion was granted.

Today, June 15, the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek is holding its first open hearing. However, journalists have not gained full access to the main defendant. Previously, the defense publicly appealed to the press, pointing out violations by the investigation, but now Tashiev himself demonstrates secrecy, refusing to comment on his position before the hearings.

Law enforcement agencies also ensure the physical impossibility of asking questions to the defendant. A large number of officers from the State Protection Service and police have been recorded on the territory of the Pervomaisky District Court. Security forces suppress any attempts to approach the former head of the special services.

A special movement regime for Tashiev was also organized inside the courthouse. To completely exclude his contact with the press, the former head of the State Committee for National Security was led into another room before entering the main courtroom, hidden from cameras.

Recall that the criminal prosecution is linked to a collective appeal ("letter of 75 elders") published on February 9. The document demanded early presidential elections due to disputes over the term limits of Sadyr Japarov. The Interior Ministry's investigation classified this as an attempt to destabilize the situation for a subsequent coup.

Earlier, on June 11, the court granted the lawyers' request and declassified the volumes of the criminal case, leaving only future interrogations of secret witnesses closed.