Mukhtar Ablyazov is the kind of honorary guest you have to keep the eye on. Or else you may loose some silver forks.
One of the fugitive ex-top managers of BTA Bank, Asylmurat Ramazanov, is deported from Georgia to Kazakhstan. French authorities have met him in Georgian detention center and will continue to supervise his case in Kazakhstan. Asylmurat Ramazanov case, if properly investigated may shed some light on Mukhtar Ablyazov case in France.
Mukhtar Ablyazov, the former owner of the largest bank in Kazakhstan, fled to the West. He and his accomplices from the top management of the BTA bank were scattered all over the World. White collar criminals applied every effort to conceal themselves. After several years of intensive investigations all persons of interest were located. Most of them got requests from law enforcement agencies and criminal cases. Some of them have chosen to return to Kazakhstan to face justice. No one from those who returned voluntarily were jailed.
The main perpetrators – Mukhtar Ablyazov, Victor and Ilyas Khrapunov, Botagoz Jardemalie – are covered by asylum rights. Others are less lucky and after going on a nickel either return to Kazkhstan or face extradition. Mukhtar Ablyazov isn’t paying much attention to this loss. His defence line tolerates some casualties.
Asylmurat Ramazanov, a former managing director of BTA Bank has been extradited from Georgia to Kazakhstan. The country where he attempted to hide all these years isn’t just incidence. Mukhtar Ablyazov used dummy Georgian-registered companies as a target for fake loan agreements instrumental to his colossal plan of embezzlement. Asylmurat Ramazanov is expected to testify against Mukhtar Ablyazov. A group of French investigators has been dispatched to Kazakhstan to ensure fair and transparent proceeding of the case. If it will be found fair and compelling the evidence will be used in the legal moves against Ablyazov himself back in France.
Mukhtar Ablyazov is currently placed under supervision. Prosecution of Paris launched criminal investigation against the fugitive oligarch. Mukhtar Ablyazov can’t be extradited to Kazakhstan due to his status as a political refugee. However French courts are free to indict him for crimes committed outside the judicial territory of the country. One case is obvious: Mukhtar Ablyazov must serve his 22 months in British prison. He escaped it by hiring private vessel and crossing the Channel, just in old style.
Mukhtar Ablyazov and Botagoz Jardemalie pretend to be politicians. It’s funny that bank clerks and even personal security and drivers of Mukhtar Ablyazov joined the narrative. Not everyone seems to succeed though.
