By Ayzirek Imanaliyeva for Eurasianet There was a time when many in Kyrgyzstan’s political elite would have been honoured to enjoy an association with Rayimbek Matraimov. That remained the case even after investigative journalists published a series of bombshell reports in 2019 exposing how the former deputy head of the customs services had allegedly amassed vast riches through smuggling. Officials at the time mumbled weak promises to investigate the claims. Those pledges came to nothing. Now that the government is putting the squeeze on Matraimov, however, the fallen kingmaker’s erstwhile all…