Anti-corruption drive or populism?

In Kyrgyzstan, Abdykalyk Rustamov, the Head of the State Forestry Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic, and his assistant were detained with a bribe of $ 2,000. This was reported to journalists by the State Committee for National Security.

According to the State Committee for National Security, Rustamov and his assistant extorted money from a foreign citizen for a positive solution concerning the issue of providing a land area of ​​5 hectares from the land fund of the Issyk-Kul Forestry in the village of Ananyevo.

It is reported that the Head of the State Forestry Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic, Abdykalyk Rustamov, and his assistant were red-handed; each had $1000.

In relation to the above-mentioned officials, a case was initiated under the Article 325 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic “Receiving a bribe”.

Note that if the guilt of the Head of the State Forestry Agency and his assistant is proved, they face a fine of up to $4300 or imprisonment of up to 5 years with the deprivation of the right to occupy certain posts or engage in certain activities for up to 2 years with a fine of up to $2000.

Currently, the detainees are placed in the Detention center of the State Committee for National Security. There is an investigation.

It should be noted that on July 31 in the Pervomay District Court of Bishkek, it was a hearing held on the case of the former Deputy Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Duishenbek Zilaliev, who is accused of a crime under the Article 323 of Part 2 of Paragraph 1 and 2 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic “Illegal Enrichment by an Official”. The punishment provides for the imposition of a fine of up to $4300 or imprisonment of up to 7 years, and it is also forbidden to hold government posts for up to 3 years.

The court established the procedure for the trial and interviewed one witness who is an employee of the Gold Mining Company “Chaarat”. However, due to the absence of other witnesses, the hearing was adjourned until August 7.

Note that the interests of the defendant are simultaneously represented by four lawyers.

In recent months, Kyrgyzstan has been actively working to identify and disclose corruption schemes. In the local media every now and then there are reports concerning the next tranches transferred to the Common Deposit Account, as well as different economic and financial violations.

“As of July 25, $20.7 million was transferred to the Common Deposit Account for the anti-corruption drive,” the Kyrgyz Ministry of Finance informs.

Here is how the political scientist Mars Sariev commented the anti-corruption drive in Kyrgyzstan: “What is happening today is a confirmation of the words of the President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbai Jeenbekov voiced at a speech in Panfilov district. He stated that everyone is equal before the law. And the services are trying to prove that it is. But, honestly, the things that today are publicly heard are average, and even below average. In this way, the authorities want to raise their authority, but they are not ready to open up large corruption schemes, as rich and influential people are behind them. Cases against them can lead to destabilization of the situation in the country.”