The daughter of the former President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov was indicted on multiple corruption charges on Thursday by the Office Attorney General (OAG) of Switzerland. Karimov’s daughter, Gulnara Karimova, faces charges of money laundering, bribery and participation in a criminal network.
Original reports of Karimova’s suspected criminal activity were filed in 2012. The Swiss OAG then opened a criminal investigation, which resulted in the seizure of approximately 780 million Swiss francs worth of assets. While Karimova was initially investigated for money laundering, the investigation later expanded to include participating and supporting a criminal organization known as ‘The Office.” The indictment states that Karimova “developed and directed [the] hierarchical criminal organisation” between 2001 and 2013.
The Swiss OAG believe The Office began their operations in Switzerland in 2005 “to conceal the capital originating from its criminal dealings in Swiss bank accounts.” They claim that The Office “conducted criminal activities as a professional business, complying with mandatory regulations and observing a strict allocation of tasks, while also resorting to violence and intimidation.”
Following the conclusion of their investigation, the Swiss OAG filed their indictment in the Federal Criminal Court (FCC) against Karimova as well as against the former director of the Uzebk subsidiary of a Russian telecommunications company. While Karimova is accused of establishing The Office and initiating its criminal activities, the unnamed former director has been accused of being a “key member” of the organization, particularly in criminal ongoings in the Uzbek telecommunications sector.
The new charges brought against Karimova by the Swiss OAG allegedly took place during her father’s time as president. In these years, Karimova was a high profile figure in Uzbekistan. She ran an entertainment television channel, released her own music, and once served in the UN Office in Geneva, which gave her diplomatic immunity. Karimova, who is currently in jail in Uzbekistan under an embezzlement conviction, denies the charges.
Following the corruption indictment, it is now the FCC’s “sole responsibility” to provide further information as this case moves forward. Alongside the indictment, the Swiss OAG also requested “the confiscation of assets totalling more than CHF 440 million” in connection with The Office’s operations.
