Mongolia's police find $2.1 million in four currencies during raid at rail official's home

• Published date: 13 January 2023
• Publication title: Central Asian News Services

Mongolian police allegedly discovered more than $2.1 million in four currencies when they raided the home of S. Batdul, deputy head of the Transport Organisation Department of national rail operator Ulaanbaatar Railways (UBTZ), bne IntelliNews reported.

Batdul remains in police custody following the January 5 raid. A court ordered his detention for a month on January 9.

The rail official responded to the court decision on detaining him by saying that it was spurred by what the prosecution had said about him on social media.

"There is a process in Mongolia where people are prosecuted online without a court decision. I believe there was no need to detain me in this case. I am involved in a minor crime. There is no need to detain me. It is very irritating and I understand the court was [under pressure to make this detention]," Batdul said.

The case comes with Mongolians still in a state of shock over revelations that a "coal mafia" may have stolen billions of dollars in proceeds made on thieved coal that was exported to China.

On top of confiscating a large amount of cash from Batdul's home, police said they took away six real estate certificates worth $1.1 million. Batdul is under investigation for money laundering, tax evasion, unjustified enrichment and bribery.

The Union of Railway Workers of Mongolia held a press conference on January 10 in response to Batdul's alleged crimes. The union alleged that the claimed crimes were the result of a...