Verification of use of car with Kyrgyz Consulate General’s numbers at scene of businessman Saimaiti’s murder completed

Bishkek, Nov.25, 2019. /Kabar/. Verification on the use of the car with the numbers of the Consulate General of Kyrgyzstan in Istanbul at the scene of the murder of Aierken Saimaiti has been completed, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of President’s Office Daniyar Sydykov told reporters.

He said Consul General of the Kyrgyz Republic Erkin Sopokov could not explain how his car ended up at the scene of the murder.

“In view of the circumstances and the violations that had previously been committed by the Consul General, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted a proposal to the President to release him from his post. This fact requires serious verification. It is unacceptable that cars with Kyrgyz diplomatic plates should be used for purposes other than they were intended,” he said.

Sydykov noted at the initiative of the Foreign Ministry, an interdepartmental working group has been formed, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Prosecutor General's Office and the State Committee for National Security.

“As far as I know, the verification is over and the group returned to Bishkek. Now the results are being summed up, then the information will be submitted to the President of Kyrgyzstan,” he added.

"Following this incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent out all relevant guidelines to each of our overseas offices to provide information on the use of diplomatic plates both for official purposes and for those who use their private cars in the host countries. Internal investigation is ongoing," Danyair Sydykov said.

Aierken Saimaiti, a businessman and Chinese citizen, was killed on Nov. 10 in a cafe in Istanbul. The name of this businessman appeared in the investigation of Ali Toktakunov, journalist of Azattyk (Kyrgyz service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, RFE/RL, which broadcasts to Kyrgyzstan) about corruption at customs. It was alleged that Saimaiti had withdrawn about $700 million from the country, and the smuggling schemes lead to former Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Service of the Kyrgyz Republic Raiym Matraiymov.

At the scene of Saimaiti’s murder, a car belonging to then Consul General of the Kyrgyz Republic in Istanbul Erkin Sopokov was found.

Previously, three people detained on suspicion of murder said they killed the victim because of his financial differences with his partners in Kyrgyzstan.