Kyrgyzstan Parliament Clears Country of Alleged Money Laundering Involvement

Controversy Surrounds Parliamentary Commission’s Conclusion

In a move that has sparked heated debate, Kyrgyz lawmakers have approved the findings of a parliamentary commission that concluded the country was not involved in hundreds of millions of dollars in alleged money laundering uncovered by a joint journalistic investigation.

Background: The Investigation

• A joint investigative report by RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, and Kloop news site revealed widespread corruption allegations, including a $932 million money laundering scheme.
• The investigation implicated former Kyrgyz State Customs Agency Deputy Chairman Raimbek Matraimov in the corruption scheme.

Parliamentary Commission’s Conclusion

On June 18, 72 lawmakers voted to approve the parliamentary commission’s conclusion that “the $932 million withdrawn from the country is not related to Kyrgyzstan, since it was the funds of Kyrgyz and foreign private entrepreneurs working in Uzbekistan.”

Reactions to the Conclusion

• The investigation has sparked widespread outrage and street protests in Kyrgyzstan following its publication.
• RFE/RL strongly rejected allegations that journalists received money from Chinese-born Uyghur businessman Aierken Saimaiti, who was assassinated in Istanbul in November.

Implications of the Decision

The parliamentary commission’s conclusion is likely to be met with skepticism by many in the country, who have been following the investigation closely. The move has sparked widespread debate and raised questions about the government’s willingness to address corruption and hold those responsible accountable.

Key Figures Involved

• Raimbek Matraimov: former Kyrgyz State Customs Agency Deputy Chairman implicated in the corruption scheme.
• Ali Toktakunov: lead reporter in the investigation who received death threats following the publication.