The State Committee for National Security (SCNS) of Kyrgyzstan has placed Kazakhstani businessman Yerkanat Zhumabekov on a wanted list on suspicion of financing an organised criminal group led by the late Kamchybek Kolbayev.
According to media reports, Zhumabekov, knowing about Kolbayev's criminal activities, allegedly provided him with support — including financial assistance — in order to gain patronage and advance his business interests within the CIS countries.
The SCNS statement claims that the businessman maintained friendly relations with Kolbayev, met with him on several occasions at the 'Bars' holiday centre in the Issyk-Kul region, and also provided material assistance to his relatives during their visits to Almaty.
As part of the pre-trial proceedings, the Oktyabrsky District Court of Bishkek has selected a pre-trial restriction measure of custody in absentia for Zhumabekov and placed him on the wanted list.
To recall, in October last year, a thief-in-law Kamchy Kolbayev was neutralised during a special operation in Bishkek. According to the SCNS of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kolbayev offered armed resistance during his arrest, after which he was killed by law enforcement officers.
Following Kolbayev's killing in Bishkek, the police stepped up security, fearing a destabilisation of the criminal situation. However, while the public waited tensely for further developments and speculated about Kolbayev's successor, well-known criminal figures in Kyrgyzstan began renouncing their criminal status, pledging henceforth to abide by the country's laws.