Investigating the Bypass of Luxury Car Sanctions Through Kyrgyzstan
A joint investigation has exposed how luxury vehicles are supplied to Russian buyers through Kyrgyzstan, despite international sanctions. Berg Auto Premium, a Moscow dealership, sells high-end cars, often bypassing customs by using remote documentation. The investigation highlights substantial increases in vehicle imports to Kyrgyzstan, revealing a network that includes suspicious officials and the pressures facing investigative journalists.
A recent joint investigation has unveiled how luxury cars are circumventing international sanctions on Russian buyers via Kyrgyzstan. The Moscow dealership, Berg Auto Premium, offers vehicles like the Tesla Cybertruck and Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which have become inaccessible in Russia due to these sanctions. Notably, the investigation reveals that cars are often given customs documentation remotely from Kyrgyzstan without their physical presence.
For over three years since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, Berg Auto Premium operates just beyond the Moscow Ring Road. The dealership markets itself as having no geographical boundaries when it comes to luxury vehicle sales. A disguised journalist from iStories confirmed that when inquiring about a German Porsche 911 Turbo, the dealership assured her of its European compliance and suggested two transportation methods from Europe.
The majority of high-end cars are reportedly funneled through Kyrgyzstan, where customs data indicates a staggering $2.7 billion worth of vehicles were imported in 2023 alone. This marks a notable increase in imports, leading to the arrival of substantial numbers of luxury brands, such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche, to Russia through this channel.
Anonymous sources from Kyrgyz customs revealed that many vehicles stamped with Kyrgyz customs never physically enter the country. Reports indicate that securing a fake customs clearance can cost between $2,000 and $3,000 per unit, with operations referred to as the “Wi-Fi system,” emphasizing the remote nature of these transactions. Furthermore, such imports do not necessitate customs clearance in Russia, allowing for reduced duties.
Berg Auto Premium’s founder, Mark Berg—also known as Benas Gutkauskas—has ties to Lithuania and has faced legal issues in the past. He changed his name following the sanctions imposed in 2022 and is believed to have obtained Russian citizenship while retaining his Lithuanian nationality. Investigative journalists connected Berg’s operations to his Kyrgyz branch, spearheaded by Aziz Jyrgalbekov, who confirmed their strategy of importing vehicles through Kyrgyzstan.
Additional investigation revealed another individual associated with Berg Auto Premium, Syrgakbek Atyshov, who has posted videos showing luxury car shipments to Moscow. His connections reportedly extend to the Kyrgyz presidential family, fortifying suspicions regarding political links in these transactions. Bolot Temirov’s reporting initiated the investigation into Berg Auto Premium, and despite his expulsion from Kyrgyzstan, his colleagues continue to face intimidation and legal repercussions.
Following the arrests of eleven journalists involved in these inquiries, the crackdown has further highlighted the dangerous environment in which investigative journalism operates in Kyrgyzstan. Their efforts shed light on the intersection between luxury car sales, international sanctions, and local political affiliations within this intricate scheme.
The investigation reveals a systematic method through which luxury automobiles are illegally accessed by Russian consumers using Kyrgyzstan as a conduit, highlighting the challenges posed by international sanctions. Berg Auto Premium exemplifies the sophisticated operations that exploit loopholes in customs regulations. The involvement of local officials and the precarious situation for journalists engaged in these investigations illustrate the complex dynamics at play in this illicit trade.
Original Source: meduza.io
