Kyrgyzstan Detains Officer for Extorting Foreigners

A police officer in Kyrgyzstan has been detained on suspicion of extorting money from foreign nationals.

The investigators said that the officer knew that foreign workers lacked proper permits to work legally in the country, The Caspian Post reports via Kyrgyz media.

In exchange for so-called “protection”, he allegedly collected between 5,000 and 20,000 som ($57.18-228.70) on a monthly basis. The Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security said that those who refused to pay were threatened with fines and possible deportation.

The suspect was caught while receiving another payment and has been placed in a temporary detention facility. The investigation is ongoing as part of broader efforts to combat corruption and abuse of power within law enforcement.