Antares Trade defendants flee court, declared wanted by Kyrgyzstan's Interior Ministry

Kyrgyzstan's Interior Ministry has addressed social media statements made by an individual accused in the Antares Trade financial pyramid case. The ministry confirmed that its Investigative Service has concluded a criminal investigation into the organization and operation of the pyramid scheme.

According to the investigation, an organized group comprising three foreign citizens and one Kyrgyzstani national established an investment scheme based on financial pyramid principles within the country between October 2020 and July 2021. They opened an office in a Bishkek shopping center and held regular presentations, promising investors high guaranteed profits, dividends, and easy withdrawal of funds. The ministry emphasized that Antares Trade was not registered in Kyrgyzstan, lacked legal status, and conducted no genuine investment activities.

The investigation consolidated 50 criminal episodes related to illegally attracting citizens' money, resulting in a total loss of $1,001,198 for the victims. The case was sent to court in December 2021. However, during the trial, the accused, identified as S.T., D.M., Ch.Kh., and T.T., absconded and have since been declared wanted. Their search is ongoing.

The Interior Ministry dismissed the accused's claims of an illegal investigation, pressure, or innocence as subjective. They asserted that such arguments must be evaluated solely within the criminal proceedings based on court-examined evidence. The ministry stated that any evidence held by the accused should be presented to the court through established legal channels, not via social media.

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If the accused has evidence that is significant to the criminal case, it must be presented to the court in the manner prescribed by law, not through publications on social networks.