Kolbaev, born in North Eastern Kyrgyzstan, is wanted by Kyrgyz police for involvement in organized crime and various transnational criminal activities, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Kyrgyz authorities say that Kolbaev is the leader of the country’s main organized crime group reputed to have more than 180 members and allegedly involved in drug trafficking, extortion and attempted murder. They also claim that Kolbaev has connections to the brother of former President Kurmanbek Bakiev, who was overthrown in April 2010 and is charged with the mass killing of protestors.
Upon their arrests, UAE authorities found stolen jewelry and forged documents in Kolbaev’s residence.
Last year Kolbaev was arrested in Kyrgyzstan and the Ysyk-Ata district court sentenced him to 19 years for murder, the illegal purchase and possession of arms and explosives, and the intended demolition of property.
However, last month Kolbaev appealed a court’s decision to prevent his release on parole. He was subsequently released by a Chuy Regional Court decision which overturned the district courts conviction as there were “no grounds to hold him,” according to the 24.kg News Agency.
Kolbaev was one of seven people added to the list of people subject to the US Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act by President Obama last month. The Kingpin Act identifies significant foreign narcotics traffickers, and denies “their related businesses, and their operatives access to the U.S. financial system and prohibits all trade and transactions between the traffickers and U.S. companies and individuals.”
Kyrgyzstan’s Interior Ministry is currently seeking extradition of both detainees from the UAE.
