Kyrgyzstan detains several border service officials for extorting money from citizens crossing the border with Uzbekistan

Several corrupt employees of Kyrgyzstan’s Board Service have been detained. They used to extort money from citizens crossing the border, local media said.

Reportedly, officials of the Dostyk-Avtodorozhniy checkpoint, systematically extorted money from citizens crossing the border, mainly citizens of Uzbekistan and drivers of heavy vehicles.

On October 19, 2021, in the course of operational and investigative measures, the head of the Dostyk-Avtodorozhniy checkpoint, the head of the Department of Defense of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic in Osh region, as well as the first deputy director-chief of the General Staff were detained. All detainees were placed in the temporary detention facility of the State Committee for National Security in Osh region.

Currently, the investigation of the case continues, other circumstances and officials involved in criminal activities are being established.