Mongolia’s Independent Authority against Anti-Corruption (IAAC) has provided short information about a corruption case involving no less than 17 judges during its regular press conference on 30 June.

According to the IAAC, former judge S.Tumurbat, one of the 17 convicted, has managed to escape with his family to the United States where he applied for asylum. He was detained by US border officers carrying a very substantial sum in US dollars.

On 26 June, President Kh.Battulga issued a decree suspending the judicial powers of 17 judges. That night, S.Tumurbat escaped to Russia through Altanbulag Border Crossing, from where he travelled on to the USA, said the IAAC. Earlier, S.Tumurbat’s father had made a getaway through China.

Evidently, corruption runs in the family: S.Tumurbat’s mother was the  deceased judge L.Byambaa who died in custody in Detention Centre No. 461. L.Byambaa had been investigated by the anti-corruption body over Salkhit silver mine for shady financial gain.