Fugitive Kazakh tycoon's brother-in-law gets refugee status in EU
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 26 February 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Fugitive Kazakh tycoon's brother-in-law gets refugee status in EU, 26 February 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/570cdf7616.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 26, 2016
The brother-in-law of fugitive Kazakh tycoon Mukhtar Ablyazov has obtained refugee status in Lithuania, his lawyer says.
Laimonas Judickas said on February 26 that his client, Syrym Shalabaev, had obtained legal status in the European Union nation on February 19.
Shalabaev was arrested in Lithuania last July. He is the brother of Alma Shalabaeva, the wife of former Kazakh banker and opposition figure Ablyazov.
Ablyazov is currently in custody in France fighting against a court ruling to extradite him to Russia.
France does not have an extradition agreement with Kazakhstan, and Ablyazov is wanted by Moscow.
Accused of embezzling some $5 billion when he was head of Kazakhstan's BTA bank, Ablyazov is wanted for embezzlement in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine.
Kazakh investigators say Shalabaev, who was released on bail by a court in Vilnius in December, was also involved in the alleged crime.
Ablyazov and Shalabaev say the charges against them are politically motivated.
Based on reporting by delfi.lt and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
