Kamchy Asanbekovich Kolbayev | |
---|---|
Камчыбек Асанбек уулу Көлбаев | |
Born | [1] | 3 August 1974
Died | 4 October 2023 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | (aged 49)
Other names | Kamchibek Kolbaev, Kamchi Kolbayev, Kamchibek Kolbayev, Kamchi Bishkekskiy, Kolya Bishkekskiy, Kolya-Kyrgz[1] |
Known for | Organized crime |
Kamchy Asanbekovich Kolbayev (Russian: Камчибек Асанбекович Кольбаев; Kyrgyz: Камчыбек Асанбек уулу Көлбаев; 3 August 1974 – 4 October 2023) was an alleged crime boss in Kyrgyzstan. Crimes he was linked to include heroin trafficking .[2] The US State Department in 2007 said he was "considered to be the leader of the most influential criminal heroin group in the country",[3] and in 2012 US President Obama named Kolbayev "a significant foreign narcotics trafficker", operating as part of the so-called Brothers' Circle criminal society.[4] He was subsequently added to the US Treasury's list of Specially Designated Nationals, preventing him from doing business in the US.[1] The United States sought to dismantle ties to banking and finance that Kolbayev or his associates have constructed.[5]
The new government, more hostile to organized crime, detained Kolbayev for a short period of time later releasing him without charge.[2] This was not the first time Kyrgyz authorities have decided against branding Kolbayev a criminal; in 2007 a police investigation of his activities was ordered to cease by the then Minister of the Interior.[3] Kolbayev may have spent time in a Kyrgyz prison earlier in his life, however.[6]
After the death of Rysbek Akmatbayev in 2006, Kamchy was allegedly crowned a thief in law in a ceremony attended by Vyacheslav Ivankov.[7]
In 2011, Kolbayev was detained in Abu Dhabi.[6] Kyrgyzstan requested his extradition, but this was not granted; he was released in September 2011.[8]
Kolbayev was mentioned in the batch of US leaked diplomatic cables in 2010.[9]
Kolbayev was killed in Bishkek by Kyrgyz officers in a security operation on 4 October 2023. He was 49.[10]
Salim Abduvaliev allegedly was the financier of Kolbayev.[11]