Kyrgyzstan Detains Former First Deputy Minister of Energy
Former First Deputy Minister of Energy in Kyrgyz Republic Arrested for Extortion
Bishkek – 17:35, 14 February 2025. The former First Deputy Minister of Energy in the Kyrgyz Republic, identified only as T.E., was recently detained by law enforcement officials while in possession of $20,000. This arrest comes after reports from the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Kyrgyz Republic.
It was revealed that the citizen was apprehended on February 13 as he was receiving a portion of the demanded sum. Investigations discovered that the former official had demanded a total of $220,000 from a foreign investment company in exchange for assistance in establishing a cryptocurrency mining farm. To add to the fraudulent scheme, he forged documents containing the signature of the current Minister of Energy. Consequently, law enforcement has initiated a case against T.E. under the charge of “Extortion on an especially large scale,” leading to his placement in a temporary detention facility.
A statement released by the authorities indicated that T.E. was appointed as the First Deputy Minister of Energy on June 22, 2022, only to be dismissed from the post on September 14, 2022. Currently, efforts are underway to identify any other individuals within the Ministry of Energy’s former leadership and staff who may have been involved in illegal activities within the energy sector.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions and ensuring transparency and integrity within governmental institutions.
