Kyrgyzstan: ex-prime minister detained for lobbying interests of Canadian investors

The interdepartmental investigation group of the State Committee for National Security continues to investigate a criminal case on corruption facts at various stages of the implementation of the project to develop the Kumtor field.

Based on the results of the investigative actions and the evidence obtained in the case, on September 16, 2021, the investigation decided to detain the former Prime Minister of the country Joomart Otorbaev, who was placed in the temporary detention facility of the State Committee for National Security.

“The investigation established that Otorbaev, being the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, put pressure on the commission of the State Agency for Environmental Protection and Forestry (SAEPF) to conduct an environmental examination under the Master Plan of the Kumtor Mine, in violation of the requirements of the Water Code and the Law On Water. It was made in the interests of a foreign company, Kumtor Gold Company adopted an order and gave consent to the further destruction of the Lysyi and Davydov glaciers, ”the state committee explains.

After the detention of Otorbaev, the interdepartmental investigation group will continue investigative actions, according to the results of which, in the next 48 hours, the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek will consider the issue of choosing a preventive measure.