TASHKENT, JAN. 31 (The Conway Bulletin) — Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sacked the once all-powerful head of the National Security Services (SNB) Rustam Inoyatov, a move that confirms his supremacy in the struggle for power in Uzbekistan since the death in 2016 of Islam Karimov.

Mr Inoyatov, closely associated with the authoritarian Karimov and once seen as his natural successor, was made a senator, giving him immunity from any potential future prosecutions, and a presidential adviser.

Human rights activists accuse the 73-year-old Mr Inoyatov, a cold much-hated figure who had run Uzbekistan’s legion of spies, informants and security agents since 1995, of using torture against opponents of the government.

Rafael Sattarov, an Uzbek analyst, told The Conway Bulletin that Mr Inoyatov’s demise had been likely since December when Mirziyoyev made a speech about cutting the power of the security services.

“It is clear that Inoyatov has been a redundant political figure in the country’s changing period,” he said.

“Inoyatov is 73-years-old, he has never been a public figure and is in poor health. The people, no matter how politically passive they are, would unequivocally choose the side of Mirziyoyev as he has managed to create the image of a passionate reformer.”

Mirziyoyev promoted 51-year-old Ikhtiyor Abdullayev, formerly the prosecutor-general, as the new head of the Uzbek security services. Analysts said that as an outsider to the security services, Mr Abdullayev may be able to push through the reforms that Mr Mirziyoyev has called for.

As President, Mirziyoyev has been winning rave reviews from Western businesses for his reforms which have included simplifying exchange rates and enticing corporates back to Uzbekistan with various pro-business policies.

Mr Sattarov, the analyst, said: “Officials and siloviks [officials who used to work for the security services] who used to be sceptical about the initiatives of the President, have received a clear signal that Mirziyoyev will not stop his reforms and will not tolerate sabotage.”

ENDS

— This story was first published on Feb. 6 2018 in issue 360 of The Conway Bulletin