Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov stated in an interview with Kaktus.media that his family does not interfere in state affairs. He emphasized that neither his children nor other family members participate in governance.
“Not only my children, but also all my family members and relatives do not take part in state affairs. From the very beginning, I firmly told my close ones and relatives: 'We will not repeat the mistakes of previous presidents,'” the president said. According to Kloop, by “previous presidents” he likely meant the first and second presidents, Askar Akayev and Kurmanbek Bakiyev, whose families were involved in politics and were later overthrown.
Japarov was asked about the recent visit of crypto-billionaire Justin Sun to the Ala-Archa nature park, where he was accompanied by the president's youngest son. Japarov explained that he rarely spends time with his youngest son Nurdoolot, so sometimes the son accompanies him. “Since he knows English well, he also acts as a translator,” Japarov said.
Japarov stressed that his son does not participate in any state affairs and does not conduct business with state institutions. “I do not bring my brothers close to positions or state bodies. I have enough influence and opportunities to ensure this. None of them use state structures for personal gain. They can bring benefit, but not harm. You have not heard and will never hear that the president's son or some relative has seized this or that state institution. They are engaged in private business. Previously, the state was divided and plundered together. We saw what that led to,” the president stated.
He was also asked to comment on statements surrounding his brother Sabir Japarov, including alleged involvement in the Kumtor mine and photos of him with gold circulating online. “This is not just a lie — it's a 1000 percent lie. His only thoughtless mistake was going to Turkey, visiting a gold processing plant, and taking a photo with gold in his hands. I have already given detailed explanations on this matter and will not repeat myself,” Sadyr Japarov said.
However, as Kloop notes, the president is somewhat exaggerating when he claims that his relatives do not participate in “state affairs.” After he came to power, some of them obtained positions. According to Factcheck.kg, President Japarov has a total of 11 brothers and sisters, five of whom are engaged in entrepreneurship.
In November 2020, it became known that the new head of the state institution “Unaa” was Japarov's relative by marriage, Turusbek Tumonbayev. Soon after, Tumonbayev became the subject of a journalistic investigation. Around the same time, Tashtanbek Kaymazarov, appointed to the leadership of the State Migration Service, also turned out to be Japarov's relative by marriage.
In December 2022, Japarov became related to Interior Minister Ulan Niyazbekov: Japarov's nephew married Niyazbekov's daughter. However, the president's closer relatives — sisters, brothers, and children — have turned into “talented entrepreneurs” since Japarov came to power, the publication notes.
Japarov's third son, 21-year-old Nurdoolot, became a co-founder of the newly established Bereket bank on October 20. According to Kloop, the president's nephew Eskat Nurkozhoev owns five companies. The president's sister Raykan Japarova opened a joint business with the son of Dordoy market owner Askar Salimbekov after one of the Salimbekov family members was arrested and his property was returned to the state.
Source: www.gazeta.uz