Mukhtar Ablyazov, a fugitive Kazakhstani ex-statesman and banker, is one of the famous figures in Europe. He isn’t known for one specific talent. Mukhtar Ablyazov is a controversial figure, the mastermind of the fifths greatest banking embezzlement ever committed. What’s even more amazing is that he was able to convince France that he is some sort of noble robber and stole funds in the name of democracy. Isn’t it neat?
Although Mukhtar Ablyazov lags far behind the leader of the race – which is Bernie Madoff with outstanding 65 billions in stolen assets, he definitively leads in an outcome. Ablyazov is free, lives in France and enjoys all wonders of civilization which the wealthy man can afford. He is to the some extent even a reputable member of the society. He publishes memoirs and profound pieces on democracy, funds NGO’s and makes a vivid vlog on Youtube. It’s a drastic contrast with a poor Bernie’s lifetime conviction.
But it wasn’t so good from the very beginning.
To be exact Mukhtar Ablyazov is also convicted to life sentence in Kazakhstan. Except he fled the country and instead requested asylum in Great Britain where he already had a luxury real estate ready. The things got not exactly as planned and he was fined for contempt of covering up his extensive network of assets. He lost the asylum and fled again. His arrest warrant is still waiting for him in Britain and was renewed six months ago.
Mukhtar Ablyazov
France arrested Ablyazov and the court ordered his extradition. Mukhtar Ablyazov complained and the High court repealed the decision under unprecedentedly bold pressure of the NGOs. Nevertheless he spent three years in French detention.
Meanwhile Kazakhstan government and BTA bank is relentlessly pursuing his assets worldwide. Countless court proceedings, severe involvement in the dark network of offshore banking mares the image of the exile. It is in fact beyond repair no matter how hard the the rag-tag made-for-purpose NGO try.
Kazakhstan gently applies pressure insisting that Mukhtar Ablyazov should be extradited. So does Russia, Ukraine and even UK. Mukhtar Ablyazov becomes a very expensive guest for France which has a vast interests in Kazakhstan’s uranium and oil. Sooner or later Mukhtar stay will end here and he’ll get the eviction notice.
We kindly suggest him to choose Belgium as his next destination. We’ll invite such a celebrity open-heartedly. After all we need some landmarks and the fifth greatest banking fraudster may serve the purpose. His former bank CEO, Botagoz Jardemalie is already here and is seemingly happy with it. The weather is kind of on the loosing side compared to France. But it’s certainly better than in Kazakhstan.
The status of the fifth greatest fraudster is too modest for Mukhtar Ablyazov. Judging from the outcome we suggest that he is the first.
M. Chini
