Almazbek Sharshenovich Atambaev – ex-President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic (2010-2011), Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan. Honorary President of the Sambo Federation of Kyrgyzstan.
Place of Birth & Education
Born on September 17, 1956, in the village of Arshan, Voroshilovsky district, Frunzensky region, Kyrgyzstan.
In 1980 he graduated from the Moscow Institute of Management with a degree in engineer-economist, organizer of production management.
Career. He began his career as an engineer, and then as a leading economist at the enterprises of the Ministry of Communications of the Kirghiz SSR. In 1981 he was transferred to the position of chief engineer of the road maintenance department No. 4.
Since 1983 he has been a member of the USSR Writers’ Union.
In 1989, he resigned from all posts and began a career in business. First, until 1997, he held the position of director of the research and production company “Forum”, and then, from 1997 to 1999, General Director of JSC “Kirgizavtomash”.
From 1999 to 2004 he served as chairman of the board of directors of the Industrial Group Forum.
From 2004 to 2005, the chairman of the board of directors of the Kyrgyzavtomash Corporation. In 2004 he was included in the top 100 richest people in Kyrgyzstan.
Political career
Since 1983 in parliamentary work, he was appointed editor and senior assistant in the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz SSR.
1987 to 1989 – Deputy Chairman of the Pervomaisky District Executive Committee of Frunze.
From 1995 to 2000 he was elected a deputy of the Assembly of People’s Representatives of the Jogorku Kenesh – 2nd convocation. He was repeatedly nominated as a candidate for deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh of the 3rd convocation in his constituency, but lost the elections. In the presidential elections in the Kyrgyz Republic in 2000, he took third place.
After the Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan in March 2005, from September 2005 to April 2006 – Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic.
From March 30, 2007 to November 28, 2007 – Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan.
After the April Revolution, since April 7, 2010, Deputy Head of the Interim Government for Economics. On July 13, 2010, he resigned.
He ran for the post of Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, but did not receive the necessary support in parliament. However, on December 17, 2010, he was approved as chairman of the government – he became the country’s first prime minister after the adoption of the new constitution.
From December 1, 2011 to November 24, 2017 – President of Kyrgyzstan.
On May 21, 2015, President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev signed a law by which he joined the country to the Eurasian Economic Union.
Scandals
Atambayev’s presidential term was marked by scandals that were widely covered in the Kyrgyz and international press. The source of scandals was often personnel appointments to high government positions of persons from the circle of Atambayev’s personal service – his drivers, bodyguards, and so on.
In 2016, Atambayev held a referendum on amendments to the Constitution. Representatives of civil society, human rights activists, journalists, oppositionists called this initiative an attempt to usurp power.
The final phase of Atambayev’s presidency (2016-2017) was marked by numerous civil and criminal lawsuits against journalists, activists, opposition politicians and human rights defenders by the authorities. In some court proceedings, Atambayev personally acts as the plaintiff, and the Prosecutor General of the Kyrgyz Republic represents his interests. Lawsuits and criminal cases have mainly focused on open critics of the regime.
In 2017, activist Edil Baisalov spoke at a press conference with information about falsification and concealment of information about Atambayev’s income.
Relations with Russia
Atambayev has repeatedly positioned himself as a pro-Russian politician. He announced the entry of Kyrgyzstan into the Customs Union, ensured the withdrawal of the American military base from the country in 2014, and spoke of the need for closer economic relations with the Russian Federation, which employs at least 500,000 Kyrgyz citizens; however, he also expressed a desire to achieve greater economic and energy independence from Russia.
Criminal case
The Prosecutor General’s Office of Kyrgyzstan stated that there are grounds for initiating several criminal cases against Atambayev. He was summoned several times for interrogation, but he refused to come. Atambayev is charged with involvement in illegal enrichment, illegal acquisition of land, corruption during the modernization of the CHP Bishkek, in the release in 2013 of the crime boss Aziz Batukaev.
On August 7, 2019, special forces stormed Atambayev’s residence. On August 8, he was detained, after long negotiations he surrendered to the security forces. Alzambek Atambayev was taken out of the residence by a convoy. Almazbek Atambayev decided to be placed in custody until 26 August.
On June 23, 2024, the court sentenced Almazbek Atambayev to 11 years and two months in prison with confiscation of state awards and property in a corruption case.
On October 6, 2024, Almazbek Atambayev was released from the pre-trial detention center after negotiations between a group of protesters and the leadership of the State Committee for National Security. On October 10, Atambayev was again arrested by GKNB officers on charges of organizing riots in Bishkek the day before.
Family
He has been married for the second time since 1988. Spouse – Raisa Minakhmedovna Atambaeva. Doctor, Doctor of Medical Sciences (since July 5, 2016). Son Kadyr, daughter Aliya. First wife – Boishard. In this marriage, four children were born: sons Seyitbek, Seytek and twin daughters Diana and Dinara.