Mukhtar Ablyazov relied on a network of associates and accomplices to assist with the alleged embezzlement of BTA Bank’s assets. In order to recover assets, the Bank brought legal actions against Mr Ablyazov and a number of his associates who include:
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| Syrym Shalabayev |
- Ablyazov’s brother-in-law
- He was a director of the London-based shell company, Eastbridge Capital, which the Bank claims was used to make fraudulent transactions
- He fled London after being convicted of contempt of court and is wanted by Interpol
- On 28 July 2015, Syrym was found and arrested in Lithuania on an Interpol Red Notice from Ukraine
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| Salim Shalabayev |
- Brother of Syrym and owner of Bensbourogh Trade Inc, the registered proprietor of one of Mr Ablyazov’s properties
- He allegedly assisted with his brother’s work at Eastbridge Capital and was either used or suggested as a nominee Ultimate Beneficial Owner of at least two of Mukhtar Ablyazov’s companies
- Was sentenced to 22 months in prison by the UK High Court in October 2013
- Whereabouts unknown and wanted by Interpol
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| Anatoly Ereshchenko |
- Director of Eastbridge Capital where he allegedly assisted in transferring misappropriated bank funds to offshore companies
- The Bank claims that he assisted in the transfer of the AAA Investments to the BVI Defendants in January 2009
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| Roman Solodchenko |
- Former Chairman of the BTA Bank Management Board, accused of orchestrating the misappropriation of the AAA-rated investment bonds from the Bank
- In November 2012, the Court entered judgment against Solodchenko for approximately US $400 million in the Drey proceedings
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| Zhaksylyk (Jack) Zharimbetov |
- Former Deputy Chairman of BTA’s Management Board
- Alleged to have set up the UKB6 Department at BTA (“Corporate Business Department”), a special loan department kept separate and secret from the rest of the bank
- Also accused of acting with his cousin, Gaziz Zharimbetov, to hide misappropriated assets through Mr Ablyazov’s London properties
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| Paul Kythreotis |
- A lawyer by training, he owned and operated the Starport Group of companies which provided nominee and other corporate services to several of Mr Ablyazov’s shell companies
- BTA Bank alleges that Mr Kythreotis implemented instructions from Eastbridge Capital for fraudulent transactions with full knowledge of the fraud
- Also a director of Bubris and Astrogold, and alleged to have backdated documents in order to conceal the true beneficial ownership of companies
- Kythreotis was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment by the High Court 28th October 2011, which he avoided by refusing to return to the UK
- He was subsequently sentenced to 2 months imprisonment by a Cypriot court on 10 August 2012
- Kythreotis remains the only person to serve a prison sentence as a result of the litigation
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| Aleksandr Udovenko |
- Director of Eastbridge Capital and claimed to be one of Mr Ablyazov’s most trusted associates until he disappeared in 2009
- Alleged to have organised the transfer of misappropriated bank funds to offshore companies, and was the nominee 'beneficial owner' of some of the shell companies
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