Investigation Reveals Luxury Cars Smuggled to Russia via Kyrgyzstan
A joint investigation reveals luxury cars are smuggled into Russia through Kyrgyzstan, allowing wealthy buyers access despite international sanctions. Key players include Berg Auto Premium in Moscow, which facilitates the operation using remote customs clearance. The surge in imported vehicles and the collaboration between Kyrgyz officials and Russian dealers demonstrate a significant loophole in the sanctioning measures.
A recent collaborative investigation has uncovered an intricate network through which luxury automobiles are being funneled to buyers in Russia via Kyrgyzstan, despite the prevailing international sanctions. Berg Auto Premium, a car dealership in Moscow, offers a curated selection of high-end vehicles, including models like the Tesla Cybertruck and Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which have become scarce in Russia because of the sanctions against luxury imports.
The report, composed by journalists from multiple reputable sources, reveals that many of these vehicles are brought into Kyrgyzstan, where customs declarations are frequently issued digitally without the vehicles physically being present. Furthermore, the investigation highlights an alarming increase in vehicle imports into Kyrgyzstan, which surged to $2.7 billion in 2023, marking a significant rise from previous years.
Notably, a Kyrgyz customs official disclosed that many registered vehicles never actually cross the country’s borders, referring to this practice as a “Wi-Fi system” due to the remote nature of the customs process. This allows Russian sellers to circumvent customs duties, highlighting a loophole in the system.
The owner of Berg Auto Premium, Mark Berg, is a Lithuanian businessman with prior legal troubles in Lithuania. His dealership operates closely with Kyrgyz intermediaries, including Aziz Jyrgalbekov, who confirmed the importation of vehicles from Europe and South Korea. The investigation also identified Syrgakbek Atyshov, connected to the dealership, who appeared in social media posts showcasing luxury cars being sent to Moscow.
The investigation gained momentum through the work of Bolot Temirov, founder of Temirov Life, who was forced out of Kyrgyzstan in 2022. The subsequent legal challenges faced by journalists working on this investigation underscore the risks involved in exposing corruption and illicit operations linked to the Kyrgyz government.
This investigation sheds light on the systematic evasion of luxury car import sanctions through Kyrgyzstan, revealing an underground network that profits from these practices. Berg Auto Premium exemplifies how sanctions can be circumvented using innovative methods, raising significant questions about enforcement and the geopolitical implications. The investigation also highlights the broader issues of journalistic freedom and safety in uncovering such intricate operations.
Original Source: meduza.io