Luxury Cars Continue to Flow into Russia via Kyrgyzstan Despite Sanctions

A joint investigation reveals that luxury cars, including high-end models, are reaching Russian buyers through a network involving Kyrgyzstan despite international sanctions. Berg Auto Premium facilitates this by obtaining remote customs clearance, allowing vehicles to enter Russia without physically arriving in Kyrgyzstan. The investigation discloses the involvement of key figures linked to local authorities and raises concerns about sanction circumvention.

A recent investigation has disclosed how luxury vehicles are reaching Russian buyers via Kyrgyzstan, circumventing international sanctions. The Moscow dealership, Berg Auto Premium, provides access to high-end models such as the Tesla Cybertruck and Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which are otherwise unavailable in Russia due to import bans. These vehicles are brought in under the guise of remote customs documentation, allowing them to enter the Russian market with relative ease.

Despite being three years into the Ukraine conflict, Berg Auto Premium thrives in Moscow, advertising an extensive range of luxury Western vehicles to affluent Russian clients. A journalist posing as a potential buyer received confirmation that a German Porsche 911 Turbo would be shipped from Europe to Kyrgyzstan before reaching Moscow. Other shipping solutions include a ferry route through the Republic of Georgia.

Investigators found that most luxury imports are funneled through Kyrgyzstan, where a staggering $2.7 billion worth of vehicles were imported in 2023 alone, marking a significant spike from previous years. Notably, numerous high-end brands such as BMW and Porsche have been successfully maneuvered through this system, indicating a burgeoning market for luxury automobiles.

A Kyrgyz customs official revealed that many luxury cars receive documentation without ever entering the country, indicating a sophisticated workaround of the customs system. The illicit clearance, costing between $2,000 and $3,000 per vehicle, operates entirely remotely, aptly termed the “Wi-Fi system.” This circumvention also eliminates the need for customs clearance once these vehicles reach Russia, benefiting sellers significantly.

Berg Auto Premium’s founder, Mark Berg, also known as Benas Gutkauskas, has an intricate background, including past legal challenges in Lithuania. He is now believed to reside in Russia after acquiring citizenship while retaining connections to his homeland. He is seemingly pivotal in maintaining the dealership’s operations and circumventing sanctions.

The dealership’s Instagram account and contacts reveal Aziz Jyrgalbekov as an importer of vehicles through Kyrgyzstan, demonstrating a collaborative network among individuals from various nations. Such cooperation extends to the social media presence of Syrgakbek Atyshov, who is believed to be associated with the Kyrgyz president’s family and has been involved in promoting luxury car shipments to Moscow.

The investigation, initially led by Bolot Temirov of Temirov Life, highlights the risks undertaken by journalists probing this nexus. Following Temirov’s expulsion from Kyrgyzstan in 2022, his colleagues faced significant repercussions, including arrests and prison sentences after delving into the connections between Berg Auto Premium and governmental authorities.

The joint investigation has unveiled a complex network for the illegal importation of luxury vehicles into Russia via Kyrgyzstan amid ongoing sanctions. Berg Auto Premium’s operations, supported by dubious practices and connections to the Kyrgyz authorities, illustrate how international sanctions can be bypassed. The situation poses significant ethical and legal challenges, raising concerns about accountability and the integrity of international trade regulations.

Original Source: meduza.io