Week In Review: Pressure, Health, And More...

Orda.kz has put together a brief synopsis of last week's news.

Kloop Under Pressure

On May 28–29, a wave of detentions in Kyrgyzstan targeted current and former staff of Kloop, an independent media outlet known for its anti-corruption investigations.

Security services detained at least 10 individuals, including former and active employees. The detentions, which included searches and confiscation of electronic devices, were reportedly conducted without proper legal documentation. The media's lawyer was denied access to those detained.

While some were released after questioning, Alexander Alexandrov and Joomart Duulatov were remanded in custody for two months following a court hearing. 

The court session revealed that inciting mass unrest is the charge they face. At the same time, a video posted by security forces shows two employees apologizing for spreading "destructive information."

According to the testimony of the detainees, the leaders of the former Kloop Media Public Foundation, while outside the country, organized the recruitment of young journalists through various privileges and financial incentives. The main sponsors were foreign organizations. To discredit government institutions, disinformation articles and social media posts were regularly prepared and transmitted to the organizers of the former Kloop Media foundation, who, together with B. Temirov, founder of the YouTube channel ‘Temirov Live,’ edited and subsequently published them,GKNB's post reads. 

This follows a February 2024 court decision to liquidate Kloop Media’s public foundation and block its website.

The corresponding ban was framed in a way to claim Kloop was engaged in its activities unlawfully.

Temirov, known for his corruption investigations, previously worked with 11 journalists who also faced similar charges. Seven were acquitted, two received probation, and two were sentenced to prison. One of those two was later pardoned.

Regarding Kloop, Presidential press secretary Daiyrbek Orunbekov also stated that those detained allegedly worked with journalist Bolot Temirov and conducted "commissioned" investigations. Temirov has denied any connection, calling the claims an attempt to associate others with him and fabricate charges.

In light of these events, Kyrgyzstan is set to hold presidential elections come January 2027, which may have current authorities on their toes. Security forces have recently made arrests over supposed attempts to overthrow the government. The nation has previously seen unrest that toppled presidents.

Still, authorities may have simply sought to tarnish Kloop's reputation, especially given its investigations involving the current President, Sadyr Japarov, the security chief, Kamchybek Tashiev, and those reportedly connected to them.

Speculation Over Ramzan Kadyrov’s Health

A new video posted to Ramzan Kadyrov’s Telegram channel has reignited speculation about the Chechen leader’s health. It shows Kadyrov walking silently while a philosophical voiceover addresses rumors of his illness and mortality:

I hear more and more gossip about my illness. They say I'm dying, I don't have much time left. Firstly, illness and death are the path of every person. [...] You have remained gossips without courage, hiding like mice abroad. This is your essence. 

Kadyrov has led Chechnya since 2007 and previously expressed a desire to resign. His health has long been a cause for speculation, and his recent efforts to elevate his 17-year-old son, Adam, suggest potential concern for his family’s future.

Kadyrov allegedly requested to transfer power to his son Adam. “VChK-OGPU” and “Important Stories" claimed Kadyrov raised the issue with President Vladimir Putin, but his request was denied. Following said meeting, Kadyrov purportedly held talks with Qatari officials to move his family and assets, which Russian security services discovered and relayed to Moscow. 

Two of his close associates are said to be in Qatar. State Duma deputy Adam Delimkhanov, Kadyrov's close ally, was reportedly "warned" that any future involvement in conflicts in Moscow could bring past incidents back into scrutiny. There are no official statements confirming this, and the originating sources maintained anonymity.

Incidentally, the Chechen leader had somewhat backed Yevgeni Prigozhin in his conflict with then-Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu. Their shaky alliance eventually crumbled, however.

Regardless, the short-lived Kadyrov-Prigozhin saga has unlikely been forgotten.

Two Notable Visits

On May 28-29, in Moscow, Saida Mirziyoyeva, Assistant to the President of Uzbekistan, met with representatives of the Russian presidential administration to discuss bilateral cooperation in humanitarian affairs, information, and youth policy.

The talks also extended to combating disinformation, promoting responsible journalism, and developing a new generation of leaders. Notably, Mirziyoyeva held talks with Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin, and Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matviyenko.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Rustam Emomali, Chairman of the Majlisi Milli, Tajikistan's upper house of parliament, within the same timeline.

The talks took place at the Kremlin and, according to official statements, focused on strategic partnership and alliance between the two countries. The Kremlin press service released only a brief statement about the meeting without disclosing any further details, according to Azattyq.

Both have been seen as potential successors to their fathers, particularly Rustam Emomali, and such visits lend weight to the notion, considering the political figures involved on the Russian side. 

They also confirm that Russia, regardless of isolation, remains a critical element in backing such transitions.

While the outcome in Tajikistan is more or less a foregone conclusion, the situation in Uzbekistan differentiates itself. The nation's conservative society may prove to be a roadblock for the current President's daughter, and behind-the-scenes power dynamics continue to be a critical factor; a statement that extends to Tajikistan and Rustam's standing.

Otabek Umarov, former deputy head of the President's State Security Service, once seen as another potential successor, has likely been sidelined after the attempt on Komil Allamjonov's life, a prominent reform advocate and former deputy head of Uzbekistan’s Presidential Administration. 

Radio Ozodlik's investigation inadvertently connected an associate of Umarov to the armed attack, though no substantial evidence tying Umarov to the attack came to the fore. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sacked several high-ranking security officers, who reportedly tried to influence the investigation into the assassination attempt.

Umarov was the last to be shown the door

Ultimately, President Mirziyoyev will remain in office until at least 2030, and the security services' prominent role remains intact after the reshuffle.

The actual reason for the above dismissals remains unclear. At the same time, Saida Mirziyoyeva's father-in-law, Botir Tursunov, according to the latest reports, retains his position as deputy chair of Uzbekistan's State Security Service.

Despite Tursunov's age, Mirziyoyeva still has leverage, but counting out Umarov's ability to apply pressure is premature — the influential structures he once utilized have almost certainly been weakened, but his financial clout and personal ties likely have not.

The center of power, however, can also leverage them against him, limiting their impact.