Kyrgyzstan. Call of blood
Nepotism in the ranks of the domestic establishment and business is second nature. No wonder that saying about the lack of office romances in Kyrgyzstan, since everyone is relatives, is so popular among ordinary citizens. A tradition which became a phenomenon was started by the first President of the Kyrgyz Republic, ousted in March 2005, Askar Akayev.
Number 1
It was he who introduced the notion of a family hierarchy. During his governing to the management system came his daughter Bermet, her husband Adil Toygonbayev, in an easy state of mind of the ex-Secretary of State Osmonakun Ibraimov nicknamed "son-in-law of all Kyrgyz people," and the eldest son Aidar. Wife Mayram Akayeva, as befits the first lady, was involved in charity. However, the events organized at the time of her foundation "Meerim" were a kind of obligation for all large- and small-caliber officials, who dreamed of a "place at the table" in the first line. Adil Toygonbayev was shamelessly taking business from successful entrepreneurs and covered cases of high-ranking father-in-law.
And daughter Bermet decided to try herself in politics. Specially for her was created party "Alga, Kyrgyzstan!". In the parliamentary elections of 2005 the newly formed political organization headed by "princess" took a majority of seats due to the unprecedented rigging and use of administrative resources. Her brother Aidar also passed to the parliament on party quota. The results of the controversial elections served as a kind of detonator of "Tulip Revolution," and historians have nicknamed the reign of Akayev as family clan.
Number 2
Kurmanbek Bakiyev has decided not to lag behind his predecessor as regards the introduction of family and friends in the power hierarchy. His brother Janysh secretly supervised the power unit and headed the State Guard Service, another brother was ambassador to Germany, and his brother Akhmad was the so-called shadow governor of Jalal-Abad oblast. The elder son Marat was deputy chairman of the National Security Council (GKNB now), and for Maxim was created Central Agency for Development, Investment and Innovation. Later he also was charged that he was playing at the stock exchange with money of Russia's $300 million loan. Bakiyev has repeatedly been accused of nepotism, on which the latter answered: "What can I do if my children are so smart?" Employment smart kids and enterprising brothers eventually turned out badly to Kurmanbek Bakiyev: on April 7, 2010, he was overthrown and expelled from the country. His family was anathematized at homeland. Bakiyev himself and his brother Janysh sentence in absentia life sentences for the shooting of demonstrators in the square at that bloody day in April, and his son Maxim - refuge in London and a summons on charges of attempted murder of British businessman Sean Daley. By the way, in Kyrgyzstan Maxim is also accused of embezzlement and corruption - of course, in absentia - a considerable period of imprisonment.
Own relatives are closer to the body
On the political scene of "island of democracy" nepotism is still honored. Let's start with the deputies. In the sixth convocation of "Kyrgyzstan" party passed Daniyar Tolonov - the nephew of the former Deputy of the third and fourth convocations Arapbay Tolonov. In 2007, he ran for the parliament on the list of Bakiyev's "Ak Jol," the native of the largest and most colorful district of Osh oblast - Kara-Suu. After 2010, the Tolonov Sr. devoted himself to business. In Bishkek he has a network of cafes of national dishes, while in Kara-Suu - own teahouses. It should be noted, being a deputy, Arapbay Tolonov didn't have good eloquence and was rare mentioned in the press. His name Kyrgyz speaking journalists voiced with the other guests of honor by, listing invited to sherine, or toi, arranged by rich people from the south. Daniyar Tolonov, as well as the uncle, not in a hurry to appear in the media and prefers to stay away from the microphone.
The leader of Onuguu-Progress parliamentary faction Bakyt Torobaev in political circles is known, as he claims himself, always follows advice of his dad Ergesh - Honored power engineer of Jalal-Abad oblast, in the past, also the deputy. It was he who suggested his son take flour business at first, and then go into politics. Bakyt Torobaev tried himself as an ordinary party member, and then set up its own offspring, and together with it passed to the parliament.
Strong of the south
Among the new clan in the political arena is the Jeenbekovs family. Asylbek, the youngest of the siblings of Sharip-aga, until recently held the position of Speaker of the parliament, and presiding over the legislative branch he began in the last convocation. Asylbek Jeenbekov didn't stand out among other deputies of SDPK. However, instead of unmanaged former Speaker Akhmatbek Keldibekov, who took advantage of all the advantages of a parliamentary form of government, it was necessary to put his faithful ally of the southerners. Jeenbekov pretty quickly entered the role of speaker and brought own order within the walls of the parliament.
Since the beginning of the sixth convocation it was assumed that the speaker also will be new. However, the top again stopped on the candidacy of a faithful vassal Jeenbekov. He would still lead parliament if his brother Sooronbay hadn't become the prime minister. Jeenbekov Jr. had to resign as the presidential faction put his brother to the position of head of the ministerial office. One of the brothers, Zhusup, uses the surname Sharipov. Until recently, he was ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
No less influential in southern Kyrgyzstan is clan of the Matraimovs. Kyrgyz-press calls the older of the brothers Raimberdi as Raim-millionaire. He has led the Osh regional customs for a long time. One of the brothers tried to take the post of akim of Kara-Suu district of Osh, another, Iskender, now is a deputy from SDPK faction, previously was the head of the Southern Territorial offices of the State Personnel Service of Kyrgyzstan.
Among the clans on the political Olympus there is the Kongantievs. Everybody remembers how Interior Minister Moldomus Kongantiyev was severely beaten and taken hostage by ordinary Talas residents in April 2010. Before going to the rebellious in Talas, the Lieutenant-General stated that the socio-political situation in the country is under his strict control.
A few hours later he was actually captured by Talas residents. Protesters against Bakiyev's regime showed to world public severely beaten general. At briefing Interim leader Roza Otunbayeva was at loss to answer at journalists' questions about the future of the former chief police officer, whether he is alive. Moldomusa Kongantiev after the April events left the big policy, treated for a long time. Together with him the political Olympus left the older brother Kambaraly. During the reign of the two presidents he was their authorized representative in the parliament. But his son Kuvanychbek is taking a shot at politics, deputy of Bishkek city council from Respublika faction.
Brother or not?
On political arena there are many relatives or cousins. At one time an enviable position in the state hierarchy held Medetbek Kerimkulov - former mayor of Bishkek. Now he is in the presidency of the Oil Traders Association. And his brother Myktybek Abdyldaev - MP from Bir Bol faction. The representative of Kyrgyzstan faction Nurlanbek Makeev is a cousin of Akylbek Japarov (Bir Bol). Mother of politicians - sisters. Ex-Speaker Akhmatbek Keldibekov, who changed deputy chair to prison bunks, but acquitted after the court, is a relative of a former Minister of Finance and also former Deputy Marat Sultanov.
The wife of fugitive former Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov Dinara Isayeva also sits in parliament. This is the third convocation of the lady. She is famous for the fact that over the years has managed not to utter a word. Parliamentary correspondents called her "our fish" for "vow of silence."
Ex-deputy Cholpon Esenamanova, recently left Kyrgyzstan faction, - the daughter of another candidate to party, in the past also deputy Zamirbek Esenamanov. The former head of the disbanded Ministry of Natural Resources because of the stubbornness of Cholpon can't receive mandate in this convocation.
Zamirbek Esenamanov, by the way, in 2010, tried to go to the parliament on the list of Respublika. But in 2015 he joined Kanat Isaev and Kyrgyzstan. As the parliament described, Esenamanov have a grievance against his former patron Omurbek Babanov because he turned away from him, when a criminal investigation for abuse of power and misuse of official position in the implementation of the licensed activity was opened against the former head of the now-defunct Office.
As investigators have found out during the inspection of the Ministry of Natural Resources (now the State Geology Agency), in 2011 the commission for Subsoil Use, headed by Esenamanov, illegally issued four licenses for the development of the Kok-Zhangak coal deposit -Kichi Oomat LLC, Sever Kg, Shakhta-Kyyal and Unique Resources Mining Company. But the ex-minister was acquitted. Together with other former officials.
Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours
Deputy from Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Toktorov is brother of former head of the CEC Tuigunaaly Abdraimov. As the lobby of the Central Election Commission and the Parliament told, to grant Toktorov mandate, Urmat Ishenbekov was deprived membership in the parliament.
The executive branch also has relatives of once-influential people. For example, the first deputy chief of Presidential Administration Aaly Karashev is relative of former deputy speaker of the fourth convocation Cholpon Baekova, and his sister-cousin and niece of Baekova Indira Dzholdubaeva holds the post of Attorney General.
In Kyrgyzstan, as a rule, career growth requires a reputable relative with fat wallet. So talks about nepotism in the corridors of power are not groundless. And in this incest to effectively fight corruption, bribery and "telephone law" one can only declaratively.