Sapar Isakov

Sapar Isakov
Сапар Исаков
Isakov in 2017
19th Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan
In office 26 August 2017 – 19 April 2018
President	Almazbek Atambayev Sooronbay Jeenbekov
Preceded by	Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev (Acting)
Succeeded by	Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev
Head of the Administration of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic
In office March 2017 — August 2017
President	Almazbek Atambayev
Personal details
Born	(1977-07-29) 29 July 1977 (age 47) Frunze, Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic, (now Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan)
Political party	Social Democratic Party

Sapar Jumakadyrovich Isakov^[a] (born 29 July 1977)^[1] is a Kyrgyz politician who was Prime Minister from 26 August 2017 to 19 April 2018.^[2] Previously he was chief of staff for President Almazbek Atambayev.^[3]

Controversies

On 19 April 2018, the President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbai Jeenbekov fired Isakov and the government following a vote of no confidence, which was initiated by three factions in the country's parliament.^[4] The vote was launched due to dissatisfaction with the government's performance in 2017, namely, poor administration of the national budget, bad preparation for the heating season, and a lack of state supervision when upgrading Bishkek Thermal Power Station.^[5]

Isakov was arrested 5 June 2018 for corruption charges stemming from the Bishkek Thermal Power Station fiasco. The Chinese company TBEA and Kyrgyz politicians including Isakov were accused of criminal corruption and illegal diversion of funds.^[6][7] On 6 December 2019, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison and penalties including property confiscation and the stripping of his diplomatic status.^[8]

In June 2020, Isakov was convicted of misusing state funds stemming from the lengthy and expensive renovation of the State History Museum and the hippodrome in Cholpon-Ata, and was sentenced to an additional 12 years in prison, although the sentence was later reduced to 3 additional years.^[9] The sentence was upheld in August 2020.^[10]

Notes

1. Kyrgyz: Сапар Жумакадырович (Жумакадыр уулу) Исаков, romanized: Sapar Jumakadyrovich (Jumakadyr uulu) Isakov

References

1. "Sapar Isakov appointed head of Presidential Administration - KYRGYZSTAN". 24.kg. March 2017. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
2. "Kyrgyz Parliament Approves Atambaev Ally As New Prime Minister". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
3. Eurasianet (2017-08-25). "Kyrgyzstan: New PM Seen as Powerbroker of the Future". Eurasianet.org. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
4. "Kyrgyz President Fires Government Following No-Confidence Vote". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 2018-04-20.
5. "Президент Киргизии отправил правительство в отставку". РБК. Retrieved 2018-04-20.
6. Putz, Catherine. "Kyrgyzstan Hunt for Power Plant Corruption Continues". Thediplomat.com. The Diplomat. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
7. Putz, Catherine. "Former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Faces 20 Years on Corruption Charges". The Diplomat. Retrieved Aug 8, 2019.
8. RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service (December 6, 2019). "Two Former Kyrgyz Prime Ministers Receive Prison Terms". Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
9. "Bishkek Court Convicts Kyrgyz Ex-PM Of Graft In Second Case". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. 2020-06-09. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
10. Putz, Catherine (2020-08-20). "Kyrgyz Court Unsurprisingly Upholds Rulings Against Atambayev and Isakov". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2020-08-22.

Political offices
Preceded by Muhammetkaliy Abulgaziyev Acting	Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Acting 2017–2018	Succeeded by Muhammetkaliy Abulgaziyev