Bishkek, Jan. 28, 2026. /Kabar/. Earlier, media outlets reported, citing the US Department of Justice, that a federal court in Brooklyn, New York, sentenced Kyrgyz citizen Sergei Zharnovnikov to three years and three months in prison for conspiring to illegally export American weapons. Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that, in connection with media reports regarding the sentencing of Kyrgyz citizen by US authorities, it is reporting the following.
According to previously received information from the US, the Kyrgyz citizen was detained by US law enforcement agencies in 2025. Following the review of the case by the US court on January 22, 2026, a court issued a ruling against Kyrgyz citizen guilty verdict was rendered, with a prison sentence imposed. From the moment of this citizen's detention, Kyrgyz agencies in the United States promptly established contact with him and provided the necessary consular assistance. Constant communication with the citizen was maintained, and consultations were provided aimed at protecting his rights and legitimate interests in accordance with international law and the laws of the host country.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs is constantly working on issues of detention of citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic within the framework of its consular powers.