Assassination Plan by Criminal Group on Kyrgyz Leaders – The Times Of Central Asia

The State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan Uncovers Assassination Plot

The State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan (CNSK) has reported that members of a transnational organized criminal group, on the instruction of former Kyrgyz oligarch Rayimbek Matraimov, were preparing an assassination attempt on the country’s top officials.

Discovery of Criminal Group

The committee stated that the standard operating activities of Kyrgyz national-security organs led to the discovery of five citizens of Azerbaijan who, under the leadership of a transnational organized criminal group, had arrived in Kyrgyzstan in order to strengthen their criminal enterprise and spread the group’s ideology. However, according to the CNSK, the leader’s main task was to organize an assassination attempt on the country’s leadership in connection with the government’s policy of fighting organized crime. Kyrgyz law enforcement claims that the leaders of the international criminal community are dissatisfied with the actions of the Kyrgyz authorities — which force people involved in crime in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to abandon criminal plans.

“In this regard, on March 22, employees of the CNSK carried out operational and investigative measures, as a result of which all the above-mentioned persons were detained. Currently, investigative measures are being carried out to bring them to justice, according to the laws of Kyrgyzstan,” the CNSK said.

Involvement of Raimbek Matraimov

Law enforcement claims that the assassination attempt on the Kyrgyz leaders was organized by Raimbek Matraimov, former deputy head of Kyrgyz customs, and a known corrupt oligarch. After being placed on the wanted list, Matraimov fled to Azerbaijan, where he remains at present. The CNSK sent a letter to Baku requesting the extradition of Matraimov to Bishkek in the belief that the former official is related to the currently detained Azerbaijanis.

After the change of power in October 2020, Matraimov was accused of corruption in the customs service. The court ordered the former official to pay 2 billion som ($22.3 million) in damages and restitution back to the state. Matraimov pleaded guilty and paid the fines and penalties, in both cash and in the form of property. But, as Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov later noted, Matraimov continued to engage in “dark deeds” and was also accused of holding hostages.

“Now Matraimov has been put on a wanted list. All his property in Osh and throughout Kyrgyzstan will be confiscated. We will not leave him even one hundredth [of a hectare] of land. Even if he returns, he will no longer be the former ‘Rayim-million’ (the oligarch’s nickname). From now on, if he wants to live normally and feed himself, he should take a trading [stall] at the market…” said Kamchibek Tashiev, head of the CNSK at a meeting with workers at one of the markets previously owned by Matraimov.

Progress in Fighting Organized Crime

Last year, when the authorities engaged in a high-profile struggle with the leaders of organized crime groups, many so-called ‘thieves in law’ began, one after another, to publicly renounce criminal activity and promised to live by the law. Conversely, some leaders of Kyrgyzstan’s criminal underworld were arrested and had their assets seized. One criminal mastermind when searched, was found to have jewelry worth over $1 billion in his possession.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. This SDG focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under SDG 16 that can be identified are:

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
• Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crime
• Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels
• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

There are no specific indicators mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, the presence of a transnational organized criminal group, the involvement of a former corrupt oligarch, and the actions taken by the Kyrgyz law enforcement indicate the existence of organized crime and corruption, which can be used as indicators to measure progress towards the targets under SDG 16.

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Source: timesca.com

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