According to the conclusion of the criminal investigation, the Swiss PGO submitted an indictment to the Federal Criminal Court on September 28, 2023 against Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of the former President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, and the former director of the Uzbek branch of the Russian telecommunications company. The name of the company and the head of the company were not disclosed in the information of the prosecutor’s office.
The two defendants are suspected of being involved in a criminal organization operating in different countries, including Switzerland. The charges span from 2005 to 2013 and include participation in a criminal organization, money laundering, bribery as a foreign public official and forgery.
It is noted that between 2018 and 2021, as a result of the investigation, four people were convicted and found guilty of money laundering and document forgery. At the same time, more than 340 million Swiss francs (4.5 trillion soums) were confiscated to be returned to Uzbekistan. Currently, more than 440 million Swiss francs (5.8 trillion soums) are in custody in the case of Gulnara Karimova and the second defendant.
Organization and purpose of “office”
According to the indictment, from 2001 to 2013, Gulnara Karimova created and led a hierarchical criminal organization known as “office”, which included several dozen people and many companies. In Switzerland, this organization began its activities in 2005 to hide the capital obtained from its criminal operations, in particular in Swiss bank accounts and safes, as well as through the purchase of real estate.
“Office” carried out its activity as a professional business, observing mandatory rules. In it, tasks were strictly divided, but methods of violence and intimidation were used. During the investigation, hundreds of companies were identified, which were created to ensure that the entire structure was not transparent. These companies maintained bank accounts in various jurisdictions, particularly in Switzerland.
Activities in the field of telecommunications of Uzbekistan
According to the indictment, foreign companies wishing to enter and operate in the telecommunications sector of Uzbekistan were required to pay bribes to Gulnara Karimova through the companies within “office”. In such a way, Gulnara Karimova used her dual status as the president’s daughter and as an official of the Uzbek government, which gave her unlimited influence over government officials to allow companies to enter and operate in the telecommunications sector.
Criminal activity in Switzerland
It is noted that corrupt funds received from telecommunication companies were later transferred to various bank accounts through several countries and various companies in complex transactions. In particular, it was transferred to bank accounts opened in the name of companies that are part of “office” in Switzerland. Beneficiary owners of these bank accounts are “fake persons”, thereby Gulnara Karimova concealed her real beneficiary status. As a result of the investigations conducted in Switzerland, assets with a total value of approximately 780 million Swiss francs (10.3 trillion soums) were seized, including bank assets and real estate, as well as cash and valuables stored in bank safes.
Charges and role of both accused
Gulnara Karimova is accused of running the criminal organization “office”. It is said that she participated in the creation of the organization and the initiation of its criminal activities, in particular, in opening bank accounts in Switzerland on behalf of the members and companies of “office”, in the transfer of criminal assets and in the preparation of forged documents justifying these transfers.
Apart from Gulnara Karimova, the second defendant (former general director of the branch of the Russian telecommunications company in Uzbekistan) was an “important member” of the “office”. In particular, he is accused of developing and implementing corrupt schemes in the telecommunications sector of Uzbekistan.
Criminal cases at the international level
It is noted that several criminal cases have been opened in Sweden, France, Norway, the Netherlands, the United States and Great Britain based on the information provided by the Swiss PGO. The existence of “office”, as well as many crimes committed by this criminal organization, have been confirmed by several court decisions issued in Switzerland and abroad.
In connection with the indictment filed to the Federal Criminal Court, the Swiss PGO is also seeking the forfeiture of assets totaling more than 440 million Swiss francs (5.8 trillion soums).
