Two convicted of extorting $3 mln from gold miner in Kyrgyzstan
BISHKEK. Feb 10 (Interfax) - Two men have been sentenced to seven years in a penitentiary and the confiscation of their property for extorting $3 million from the administration of Kyrgyzstan's largest goldmine, Kumtor, the Kyrgyz Supreme Court press service told Interfax on Monday.
"Bakhtiyar Kurmanov and Ermek Junushbayev have been found guilty on two charges, extortion of a large bribe and participation in mass disturbances. They were sentenced to seven years in a high security penitentiary and the confiscation of their property," the press service said.
The convicts made an offer to the company's administration to stop the protest rallies obstructing Kumtor operations for a fee of $3 million.
The Bishkek Pervomaisky District Court passed the sentence on Monday. Judge Almazbek Moldobayev presided over the trial.
The court acquitted the defendants on the counts of hooliganism and unsanctioned seizure of buildings.
The Kyrgyz state television aired on August 27, 2013, a hidden camera video of Kurmanov and Junushbayev extorting $3 million from the administration of the Kumtor Operating Company. The same individuals organized protest rallies in the Jeti-Oguz district in May and June 2013, which demanded nationalization of the goldmine.
The day after the video was aired the State Committee for National Security opened a criminal case.