Kyrgyz prison chief detained in Chui region on bribery charges

August 25, 2026 at 04:19 PM2 min

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The head of penitentiary institution No. 19 in Kyrgyzstan's Chui region was detained on August 25 on suspicion of extorting bribes from relatives of an inmate. The State Committee for National Security (GKNB) said the officer, a 1982-born internal service major, had systematically demanded money since February 2025 in exchange for phone calls and visits. The suspect was placed in the GKNB's temporary detention facility while investigators determine the total amount received and possible additional episodes.

Key Facts

The detention took place on August 25 during operational-investigative measures conducted by GKNB officers jointly with the internal security department of the penitentiary service.
The suspect is a 1982-born internal service major identified by the initials Zh. M. Zh., serving as head of institution No. 19.
Since February 2025, the officer allegedly demanded money from close relatives of a convicted person in exchange for phone calls and visits.
Payments were transferred through mobile applications, including the MBank app, according to investigators.
The criminal case was opened under Article 343, Part 2, Clause 1 of the Kyrgyz Criminal Code — extortion of a bribe.

The Detention

On August 25, GKNB officers together with the internal security department of the State Penitentiary Service conducted operational-investigative measures within a previously initiated criminal case. As a result, the head of institution No. 19, an internal service major born in 1982, was detained. The suspect was placed in the temporary detention facility of the GKNB's pre-trial detention center under Article 96 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The operation was carried out jointly by the GKNB and the penitentiary service's internal security unit.

Alleged Bribery Scheme

According to investigators, since February 2025 the officer systematically demanded money from close relatives of a convicted person. In exchange, he allegedly provided the opportunity for telephone conversations and visits. The funds were transferred through mobile applications, including the MBank app. The criminal case was initiated under Article 343, Part 2, Clause 1 of the Criminal Code — extortion of a bribe.

Ongoing Investigation

Investigators are currently establishing the total amount of funds received, possible additional episodes, and other persons who may be involved in the unlawful activity. The final legal assessment of the suspect's actions will be given based on the results of the investigation.