Kyrgyzstan Recovers Funds After Tax Scandal

Kyrgyz authorities have recovered 4.3 billion Kyrgyz soms ($49.171 million) in damages after uncovering a large-scale corruption scheme within the State Tax Service, following guilty pleas by its former leadership.

The State Committee for National Security commented on the conviction handed down by Bishkek’s Leninsky District Court against former head of the State Tax Service Altynbek Abduvapov and his deputy Islambek Kydyrgychov, The Caspian Post reports via Kyrgyz media.

Both officials were detained on December 6, 2024, as part of a criminal case launched under Article 337, Part 3 of the Criminal Code, which covers abuse of official authority.

The offenses were committed before amendments came into force that toughened penalties for corruption and abuse of office. As a result, the court applied provisions of the previous version of the Criminal Code, which allowed for fines in cases where defendants admit guilt and enter into procedural agreements.

During the investigation, all defendants fully confessed and compensated the state for damages totaling 4.3 billion soms. The security services said the confessions and investigative measures helped uncover and dismantle a large-scale corruption scheme within the State Tax Service involving senior officials and staff from the central audit department.

The State Committee for National Security noted that the results of the investigation contributed to the tax authorities fully meeting their 2025 tax and social contribution collection targets, while also securing additional budget revenues of 40 billion soms ($457.413 million).

Investigations into other suspects linked to the case are still ongoing. The authorities said the public will be informed of further outcomes and measures in due course.

Under the court ruling, Abduvapov and Kydyrgychov were fined 400,000 and 300,000 soms ($4,574 and $3,430) respectively, barred from holding certain public offices, and stripped of official ranks and state awards.