Kyrgyzstan takes more action against Kumtor as jailed former president mulls return to politics

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 01 Oct 2021 by Alex Teddy
On September 29 Kyrgyzstan put some more executives of Centerra Gold on its wanted list. The Canadian company owns a gold mine in Kyrgyzstan. The executives are accused of bribery.The UKMK (security agency) said that the company was corrupt and made USD 200 million illicitly. A former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan has been arrested pursuant to the investigation. Several other senior politicians are also on trial in Kumtor case.There has been much disagreement over the gold mine. Is mining there polluting the environment? That is a vital issue for President Japarov who campaigned on the issue before he became president. Centerra says it has started a binding arbitration process on Kumtor. Centerra says it was assured its right over the gold mine by the previous Kyrgyz Government and had been investing in the country for over 20 years. On September 29 the erstwhile President Atambaev had his trial delayed yet again. He has been in jail since 2019. Atambaev said he is ill and cannot face trial. He and 13 co-defendants face charges for murder and hostage taking. He is already serving an 11-year sentence for releasing a gangster in return for a bribe. Atambaev protests his innocence. Atambaev said he is considering running for Parliament in November 2021. The incident he is being tried for was a standoff outside his compound in 2019. 170 people were injured and one policeman was killed. However, those convicted of a crime are banned from seeking election.

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