Former Japarov Adviser Who Criticized Kyrgyz President Reportedly Detained in Moldova

Aidar Khalikov, a former voluntary adviser to Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov, has reportedly been detained in Chisinau, Moldova, Orda reports, citing Kloop.

Investigative journalist Bolot Temirov wrote about this on Facebook.

Temirov expressed concerns about Khalikov's possible deportation to Kyrgyzstan, stating:

Aidar Khalikov [is] at the investigation inspectorate in Chisinau. I hope the Moldovan authorities will not deport him. In Kyrgyzstan, he will be tortured in the basements of the National Security Committee or worse.

Khalikov gave an interview in November 2024 where he alleged that Japarov and his press chief, Dayyrbek Orunbekov, had pressured him to publish false information about government critics. 

Khalikov also claimed Japarov had become a billionaire since taking office.

Orunbekov dismissed these allegations as false, detailing Japarov's pre-existing property ownership and charitable contributions. He countered by accusing Khalikov of involvement in slate smuggling from Uzbekistan.

Kyrgyz authorities have not yet commented on Khalikov's reported detention.

Before these events, Japarov had dismissed all voluntary advisers, citing administrative improvements.