In Bishkek, during a special operation, the well-known Kyrgyz criminal authority Kamchi Kolbaev (Kamchybek Asanbek) was killed. This information was reported by 24.kg, citing the State Committee for National Security of the country (SCNS).
The operation took place on October 4 in a restaurant in the city center. According to the SCNS, Kolbaev resisted arrest and was killed in return fire.
"Medical professionals confirmed K. Asanbek's death at the scene from gunshot wounds. There were no casualties among SCNS personnel and civilians," the department clarified.
Regarding the incident, the SCNS has initiated criminal proceedings for "Formation of an Organized Criminal Group," "Illegal Arms Trafficking," and "Attempted Murder."
According to the SCNS statement, Kolbaev was being pursued in connection with investigations into "active members of organized criminal groups and their leaders involved in large-scale illegal acquisition of entrepreneurs' assets."
Kyrgyzstan's SCNS had previously detained Kolbaev in October 2020 on suspicion of forming a criminal organization, but he was later released on bail. In August 2023, it was reported that the investigation had been closed due to the statute of limitations.
Kolbaev was also sought by U.S. authorities. According to the U.S. Department of State, in 2000, Kolbaev was sentenced to 25 years for the murder of two people and attempted murder but escaped from prison six years later. In 2007, the U.S. foreign affairs agency labeled him the "leader of the most influential criminal group" in Kyrgyzstan. In 2008, according to the Department of State, Kolbaev was officially crowned as a "thief in law" in Moscow.
In 2011, the administration of former U.S. President Barack Obama included Kolbaev in the sanctions list of major foreign drug traffickers, and the following year, the U.S. Treasury Department recognized him as an associate of the criminal syndicate "Brother's Circle." A reward of $5 mn was offered for information leading to the dismantling of Kolbaev's criminal network or his arrest.
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