BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz authorities say they have detained notorious criminal boss Chyngyz Jumagulov, who has been linked to another infamous kingpin for whom the United States has offered a $1 million reward.
The State Committee for National Security (UKMK) said on July 15 that Jumagulov, known under the nickname Giant Chyngyz, is suspected of "organization of a criminal group and systemic extortion of money in extremely large amounts from entrepreneurs."
The UKMK called on all citizens who consider themselves victims of Jumagulov's group to turn to authorities.
Last week, media reports said that Jumagulov was involved in a shoot-out in Bishkek's outskirts, giving controversial details about his alleged arrest later dismissed by the Interior Ministry.
The 41-year-old kingpin has a long criminal career and a lengthy criminal record.
Kyrgyz authorities have said Jumagulov is linked to a larger criminal group led by notorious kingpin Kamchy Kolbaev, who also goes by the name Kolya Bishkeksky.
The 47-year-old Kolbaev was detained in October 2020 on suspicion of organizing a criminal group and participating in the activities of an organized criminal group but was unexpectedly released in March last year.
The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek expressed concerns over his release at the time and described Kolbaev as a "transnational organized crime boss" and a "convicted murderer whose criminal network engages in drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms trafficking and other dangerous criminal activity."
In 2014, the U.S. State Department offered a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the disruption of the financial mechanisms of Kolbaev's criminal network.