According to available information, the citizen of Kyrgyzstan was detained in 2025 by American law enforcement agencies. The court, after reviewing the case, issued a guilty verdict on January 22, 2026, imposing a prison sentence.
The Ministry noted that since the citizen's arrest, the consular offices of Kyrgyzstan in the United States promptly contacted him, providing the necessary support. The agency emphasizes that there has been constant communication with the citizen and consultations were provided to protect his rights in accordance with international norms and U.S. legislation.
Although the name of the convicted individual and details of the charges are not disclosed, it was previously mentioned in several sources that Kyrgyzstani Sergey Zharnovnikov was sentenced in the U.S. to three years.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Zharnovnikov was involved in the illegal export of weapons manufactured in America to Russia via Kyrgyzstan, amounting to over $1.5 million. He used his company, registered in Bishkek, to smuggle weapons and ammunition since March 2020.
The man arrived in the U.S. in January 2025 with his wife and was detained a few days later while attending a weapons exhibition. According to some reports, he did not have the right to permanent residency in the U.S., and after serving his sentence, he will be deported to his homeland.
Previously, Sergey Zharnovnikov was also mentioned in the media as the owner of a gun shop in Bishkek.
