The authorities in the United Kingdom have confiscated two apartments and a mansion that belonged to the daughter of Uzbekistan's first president, Gulnara Karimova. The real estate is valued at over $25 million, Podrobno.uz reports.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO), responsible for combating serious fraud, stated that it had confiscated three luxury properties in the UK owned by Gulnara Karimova.
"We have uncovered a complex financial scheme involving multiple offshore accounts and companies to seize the assets. This decision is a step forward in our case and our ongoing efforts to eradicate dirty money in the UK," noted SFO Director Lisa Osofsky.
According to British law enforcement, Gulnara Karimova and her family acquired this real estate using proceeds from corrupt activities in Uzbekistan.
The SFO also alleges that Karimova received hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes from telecommunications companies between 2004 and 2012 in exchange for assisting them in gaining access to the Uzbek market.
According to the Prosecutor General's Office of Uzbekistan, Gulnara Karimova's assets abroad are estimated at more than $1 billion. She also controls 30 accounts in 7 Swiss banks and 8 safes, all located in Lombard Odier bank.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
August 9, 2023