The State Committee for National Security reported the arrest of the director of the State Agency for Control over the Production and Circulation of Ethyl Alcohol and Alcoholic Products under the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as the owner of Nur&Ay Company LLC, on suspicion of corruption and illegal sale of ethyl alcohol.

According to the SCNS, during anti-corruption measures, facts of favoritism on the part of the director of the agency, T.A.A. (initials match those of the current director, Almaz Anvarbekovich Toktogulov), in favor of Nur&Ai Company were revealed. In 2023, this limited liability company was included in the list of special consumers of ethyl alcohol entitled to purchase it for medical, veterinary, technical, and other purposes without paying excise tax.

However, as established by the investigation, the owner of the company, T.R.Zh., with the support of the agency director, sold the purchased alcohol for purposes other than those intended — to private individuals in Bishkek and the Chui region, receiving illegal profits for this. The official was paid monetary rewards for his protection.

“As a result of these illegal actions, the state suffered particularly large losses. On April 24, both suspects, T.A.A. and T.R.Zh., were detained and placed in the SIZO GKNB KR. At present, investigative and operational measures are continuing to identify and detain other participants in the corruption scheme,” the GKNB reported.