A KYRGYZ LINK TO RUSSIAN BANKER'S DEATH?

C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 001775 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN (GEHRENBECK) E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/19/2016 TAGS: PREL EFIN KCOR KCRM KG SUBJECT: A KYRGYZ LINK TO RUSSIAN BANKER'S DEATH? REF: BISHKEK 1261 Classified By: Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) In a conversation with emboff concerning Kyrgyz Central Bank operations (septel),former Kyrgyz Central Bank governor Ulan Sarbanov linked information he provided Russian Central Bank First Deputy Chairman Andrei Kozlov in September during a meeting in Poland to Kozlov,s subsequent murder that same month. Sarbanov estimated that up to $10 billion was laundered through Kyrgyz banks in 2005 (see reftel),and he said that Kozlov had traveled to Kyrgyzstan to investigate the allegations in an unofficial capacity in order avoid attracting attention. Sarbanov, who was ousted from his position in March, said he continued to funnel information to Russian officials regarding money laundering in Kyrgyzstan. (Note: Throughout the conversation Sarbanov refused to use Kozlov,s name, and instead referred to him as "the Russian central banker who was killed in September." End note.) Sarbanov, noting his lack of bodyguards, expressed concern for his own personal well-being. Comment -------------- ¶2. (C) Sarbanov remains well connected to the Kyrgyz financial sector. Sarbanov did not offer further details about why he believed that Kozlov's death was connected specifically to money laundering through Kyrgyz banks, but Sarbanov has a reputation of speaking openly about events at senior levels in Kyrgyzstan. YOVANOVITCH