Reputed Kyrgyz Crime Boss To Be Released From Prison

By RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service

May 19, 2014

A reputed Kyrgyz crime boss, Kamchybek Kolbaev, is expected to be released from jail, just 18 months after his arrest. 

According to Kyrgyz law, each day spent by an inmate in a detention center is equal to two days in a penal colony, meaning Kolbaev will be released in June.

Kolbaev was arrested in December 2012 after being extradited from the United Arab Emirates.

He was later sentenced to 5 1/2 years in jail for extortion. Kolbaev's prison term was then cut to three years, without explanation.

Interior Minister Abdylda Suranchiev said on May 19 that charges lodged against Kolbaev of leading an organized criminal group had also been dropped.

In 2011, the United States added Kolbaev, 39, to a list of major global drug-trafficking suspects.