How Luxury Cars Reach Russian Buyers Through Kyrgyzstan Amid Sanctions

An investigation reveals how luxury cars, such as Teslas and Rolls-Royces, reach Russian buyers via Kyrgyzstan, despite sanctions. Berg Auto Premium utilizes remote customs documentation to facilitate these sales, resulting in a dramatic rise in vehicle imports through Kyrgyzstan. The ownership and operations of this dealership bring to light intricate ties to Kyrgyz authorities and highlight ongoing repression against investigative journalists in the region.

A recent investigation has unveiled how luxury vehicles are sold to Russian consumers via Kyrgyzstan, circumventing international sanctions. The Moscow-based dealership, Berg Auto Premium, offers an array of high-end cars, including the Tesla Cybertruck and Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which are no longer permissible in Russia. These vehicles are imported through Kyrgyzstan, often utilizing remote customs documentation processes, as reported by various journalism organizations, including Novaya Gazeta Europe and OCCRP.

Despite sanctions imposed over three years ago due to the Ukraine war, Berg Auto Premium thrives in Moscow. Inquiries from undercover journalists reveal that vehicles like the Porsche 911 Turbo are claimed to be shipped from Europe via Bishkek and then to Moscow. The dealership also offers alternative shipping routes through Georgia, although many cars pass through Kyrgyzstan.

Customs statistics indicate an extraordinary rise in vehicle imports through Kyrgyzstan, with a staggering $2.7 billion worth of cars imported in 2023—an increase of over 1,100 percent from previous years. Approximately 900 BMWs and several hundred other luxury marques, such as Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, have entered Russia through this method. A Kyrgyz customs official disclosed that vehicles often never physically enter the country, with falsified customs documents costing between $2,000 and $3,000 each.

Berg Auto Premium is reportedly part of a network involving individuals like Mark Berg, whose real name is Benas Gutkauskas, a Lithuanian national now a Russian citizen. Despite previous criminal charges in Lithuania, he appears well-established in Russia. The organization operates openly in Kyrgyzstan, with featured contact person Aziz Jyrgalbekov confirming the import of luxury vehicles from Europe and South Korea.

Additionally, Syrgakbek Atyshov, associated with Berg Auto Premium, has used social media to showcase vehicle shipments to Moscow, boasting connections to the Kyrgyz political elite. The investigation, initially sparked by journalist Bolot Temirov, has resulted in ongoing repression against local journalists attempting to uncover the intricate relationships between Berg Auto Premium and Kyrgyz authorities. This scrutiny has led to arrests and court sentences for several journalists in January 2024.

The investigation illustrates a sophisticated network enabling the importation of luxury vehicles to Russia through Kyrgyzstan, circumventing sanctions. Berg Auto Premium operates seamlessly, utilizing falsified documents and remote customs processing. This situation raises concerns regarding accountability and transparency in both Kyrgyzstan and Russia, alongside the broader implications of sanctions evasion.

Original Source: meduza.io