The Rise and Fall of Kyrgyzstan’s Seemingly Untouchable Security Chief For years, Kamchybek Tashiev was considered the co-ruler of Kyrgyzstan, transforming the country’s security agency into a shadowy empire with its own kindergartens, billions in seized assets, and a stifling grip on citizens’ lives. Now he’s been convicted of plotting a violent power grab. What happened? And what’s next?