1. Overview
Akylbek Japarov's career in the Kyrgyz government spans several administrations, primarily focusing on economic and financial roles. He held significant ministerial positions under the Askar Akayev and Kurmanbek Bakiyev governments, including Minister of Economy and Finance and Minister of Economic Development and Trade. His tenure as Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers from 2021 to 2024, appointed by President Sadyr Japarov, marked a key period in his political career, during which he also served as the Head of the Presidential Administration. Japarov's career has been notable for his involvement in economic policy and international financial programs, but it has also been marked by various allegations, including corruption, tax evasion, plagiarism, and nepotism. He was dismissed from his position as Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers in December 2024.
2. Early life and education
Akylbek Japarov's early life was rooted in the Issyk-Kul Region of the Kyrgyz Soviet Socialist Republic, where he pursued higher education in both engineering and finance.
2.1. Childhood and family
Akylbek Japarov was born on 14 September 1965 in Balykchy, Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyz Soviet Socialist Republic. His father, Usenbek Japarov, was a doctor, and his mother, Begayim Sarynzhieva, was an engineer. He completed his secondary education in 1981, graduating from the 40th Anniversary of Komsomol secondary school in Kochkor District. During his school years, Japarov was an active and prominent leader within the Komsomol youth organization.
2.2. Education
Japarov pursued higher education in two distinct fields. In 1986, he graduated with honors from Kyrgyz Technical University with a degree in civil engineering. During his studies at the university, he was recognized as a Lenin scholar. Later, in 2002, he furthered his academic qualifications by graduating from the Bishkek Academy of Finance and Economics, where he earned a degree specializing in Financial Tax Systems and the Management of Organisations.
3. Early career
Prior to his prominent ministerial roles, Akylbek Japarov engaged in both academic pursuits and various capacities within public service, laying the groundwork for his later political career.
3.1. Academic career
From 1987 to 1991, Japarov served as a lecturer at Kyrgyz Technical University, his alma mater. During this period, he was deeply involved in the life of the institute and society, serving as the secretary of the Komsomol committee of the institute. He also held positions as a member of the Central Control Commission of the Central Committee of Komsomol and a member of the Central Council of student construction brigades of Komsomol.
3.2. Early public service career
Japarov began his public service career in July 1992, serving as the head of the Department for Youth Policy within the presidential administration of Askar Akayev, a position he held until 1993. In October 1993, he transitioned to a political party role, becoming the executive secretary and chief of staff of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan, where he remained until April 1995.
From 1995 to 1996, Japarov served as an assistant to the First Vice Prime Minister. He then took on roles related to financial administration, serving as the secretary of the National Commission for the Securities Market from 1996 to November 1997. Following this, from November 1997 to 20 April 2000, he was the head of the Department for Collection of Payments of the State Tax Inspectorate, operating under the Ministry of Finance.
From 20 April 2000 to March 2005, Japarov was a member of the Legislative Assembly, which was the former upper house of the Supreme Council. He was elected on the party list from the Union of Democratic Forces electoral bloc. During his time in the Legislative Assembly, he was a member of the Regions of Kyrgyzstan parliamentary group and also served as the Chairman of the Committee on Taxes, Customs and Other Duties.
4. Political career
Akylbek Japarov's political career saw him rise through various governmental and political positions, serving under different administrations and culminating in his appointment as Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers.
4.1. Minister of Economy and Finance
Following the Tulip Revolution that led to the overthrow of President Akayev, Akylbek Japarov was appointed Minister of Economy and Finance under Kurmanbek Bakiyev. He held this position from 26 March 2005 to 27 December 2007. During his tenure, he was involved in significant economic diplomacy, including holding intergovernmental negotiations with representatives of Ukraine on matters of trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation. Subsequently, from 27 December 2007 to October 2009, he served as Minister of Economic Development and Trade.
4.2. First Vice Prime Minister
Akylbek Japarov's progression in government continued when he was appointed First Vice Prime Minister on 22 October 2009, a role he held until 2010.
4.3. Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers
On 1 June 2021, President Sadyr Japarov appointed Akylbek Japarov as Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Economy and Finance. Later that year, on 12 October 2021, by a decree from President Sadyr Japarov, Akylbek Japarov was named acting Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, succeeding Ulukbek Maripov. The following day, on 13 October 2021, he was officially appointed Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers by President Sadyr Japarov. In this capacity, Akylbek Japarov also concurrently served as the Head of the Presidential Administration.
4.4. Dismissal
Akylbek Japarov's tenure as Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers concluded on 16 December 2024, when he was dismissed from the position by President Sadyr Japarov. He was replaced by First Deputy Chairman Adylbek Kasymaliev.
5. Ideological and economic stance
Akylbek Japarov has consistently demonstrated a pragmatic approach to economic policy, particularly in his support for international financial assistance programs. A notable aspect of his economic philosophy was his advocacy for Kyrgyzstan's participation in the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) program, which is a joint initiative of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) aimed at ensuring that the poorest countries are not overwhelmed by unmanageable debt burdens.
6. Personal life
Akylbek Japarov's personal life includes his family, his contributions to literature, and his linguistic capabilities. His financial assets have also been subject to public scrutiny and allegations.
6.1. Family and literary activities
Akylbek Japarov is married and has three children: two daughters named Saadat and Azhar, and a son named Maksat. Beyond his political career, Japarov is also an author. He has written several books, including Taxes: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, Strategies for Economic Modernization, and Modernization of the Kyrgyz Economy. He has also contributed numerous articles to various media outlets. Japarov is multilingual, fluent in Kyrgyz, Russian, English, and Turkish.
6.2. Assets and allegations
In 2014, allegations concerning Akylbek Japarov's personal wealth and asset ownership came to light. Irina Karamushkina, a member of the Supreme Council, publicly stated that Japarov was the owner of several buildings, including the Damas International Hotel located in Bishkek. The estimated value of these assets, including the hotel, was reported to be approximately 6.00 M USD. These claims emerged amidst broader public accusations of land fraud.
7. Controversies and criticisms
Throughout his career, Akylbek Japarov has faced significant allegations and criticisms concerning his governance and integrity, including accusations of corruption, tax evasion, plagiarism, and nepotism.
7.1. Corruption allegations
Journalists from Temirov Live reported findings that linked Akylbek Japarov's close relatives to a major company in Malta that specializes in organizing offshore businesses. This company is owned by Peter Mamo, who also serves as a director for Globalico Holdings Limited, a company whose CEO is Japarov's son. Furthermore, Mamo is linked to Alfatronics Limited, which is managed by a relative who is also a deputy head of the Ministry of Economic Finance. The journalists also revealed a connection between Perfin Services Limited, a company that, according to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), owns all the aforementioned companies, and Akylbek Japarov's wife.
On May 29, 2017, the Anti-Corruption Service of the State Committee for National Security initiated a criminal case under the article "Corruption." This case alleged that the allocation of 200.00 M KGS to the MIS company in 2009 was illegal.
7.2. Tax evasion allegations
In 2020, the MIS company, which is associated with Akylbek Japarov's wife, was suspected of large-scale tax evasion. The financial police reported that the primary shareholders of MIS were two legal entities: the offshore company E.C.L. and a citizen identified as J.A.B., who was confirmed to be the wife of a high-ranking official in the country, namely Anara Japarova. The other entity was EURASIA CAPITAL LIMITED. The State Committee for National Security had previously reported Anara Japarova's ownership of shares in MIS back in 2017.
Additionally, according to records from the Ministry of Justice, Anara Japarova is listed as the head of several other companies, including ICE MAX, Tridas, DAMAS-PHARM, Damas Ala-Too, Alma Agro, and Tridas Milk. Damas Ala-Too also lists Globalico Holdings as a founder, which is registered with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the Damas Hotel. Ulan Abykeev, the head of Globalico Holdings, also leads Ala-Too Impex, a company founded by EURASIA CAPITAL LIMITED. The financial police reported that companies owned by Japarov's wife caused an estimated damage of 90.00 M KGS to the state, of which 28.00 M KGS was reportedly returned.
7.3. Plagiarism allegations
On September 11, 2018, the Dissernet website published information alleging extensive plagiarism in Akylbek Japarov's doctoral dissertation. His 2009 dissertation, titled "Strategy for Economic Modernization of the Kyrgyz Republic (Monetary and Financial Aspects)," was found to have 122 out of 234 pages (48%) taken from other sources. The majority of the plagiarized content was reportedly copied from Shailobek Musakodzhoev's book "Introduction to Economics. Fundamentals of macroeconomics. Business (microeconomics)." Dissernet subsequently made a public accusation of plagiarism against Japarov, though he denied these allegations.
7.4. Nepotism allegations
Following the political events of October 2020, Akylbek Japarov faced accusations of nepotism due to the appointments of several family members and close associates to high-ranking public service positions. His brother, Rahatbek Japarov, was appointed deputy chairman of the State Penitentiary Service. Nurbek Alimov, Akylbek Japarov's matchmaker, also secured a significant position as the head of North East Customs, with his career advancing rapidly after the change of government in October 2020. Alimov rose from chief inspector of the Customs Clearance Center group to acting head of the Customs Service's Homeland Security and Anti-Corruption Division within a single year. Furthermore, Akylbek Japarov's son-in-law, Eldar Alisherov, holds the position of Minister of the Eurasian Economic Commission for Customs Cooperation. These appointments have drawn criticism as the Law "On State Civil Service and Municipal Service" of the Kyrgyz Republic explicitly prohibits individuals in close family relationships from holding positions where subordination or control arises between them.
8. Awards and honors
Akylbek Japarov has received several awards, medals, and honorary titles throughout his career, recognizing his contributions and service.
- 1995: "1,000th Anniversary of the Epic of Manas" commemorative medal
- Honorary Citizen of the Naryn Region of the Kyrgyz Republic
- 2002: Honoured Economist of the Kyrgyz Republic
- 7 June 2007: Sheriktesh ("Commonwealth") Medal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic
- 13 June 2007: Order of Mikhail Lomonosov of the Academy of Security, Defence and Law Enforcement of the Russian Federation