Astana Kazakstan's problems continue after news broke that the Luxembourg prosecutor's office has opened a judicial investigation into Luxembourg-based Abakant SA, the payment agent and license holder for the World Tour team.

Last year, the team fired and then reinstated team boss Aleksandr Vinokurov amid a power struggle with co-sponsor Premier Tech. The news is the latest in what has been a turbulent time for the team.

Kazakhstan's newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda (opens in new tab) reported that a civil suit against Abacanto SA was opened in January 2021, confirming that a lawsuit had been filed against the company's "unidentified persons."

Abacanto SA was accused of violating Article 140 of the local Criminal Code, which states that a person who has been convicted of a crime is a person who is not a member of the team, charged with violations under Article 140 of the local criminal code: forgery of documents, misuse of corporate assets, breach of trust, money laundering, and fraud.

Abacanto SA is currently based in Howald, Luxembourg, and has been the paying agent and license holder for Astana Qazaqstan since 2010.

Komsomolskaya Pravda reports that Vinokurov is named in ongoing litigation, "which is clearly documented in the ruling."

The Luxembourg District Court is currently examining several witnesses in the case.

A statement issued by Henri Eippers, spokesman for the Luxembourg Administration of Justice, confirmed that a judicial investigation was conducted against Abacant SA following the civil complaint.

"The Luxembourg Public Prosecutor's Office confirms that a judicial investigation has been opened following a complaint filed by a civil action on facts that allegedly took place within the framework of the Luxembourg company Abacanto SA and that are likely to constitute a crime.

"Given the ongoing nature of the investigation, the Prosecutor's Office does not intend to provide any further information on this matter."

Cycling News asked Astana Kazakstan to comment on the report. The team's response was that they did not intend to comment and did not have any information on the matter.

If criminal charges are eventually filed against the individuals currently under investigation, there is a possibility of imprisonment, in accordance with Luxembourg law regarding the crimes described.