Russian and Swedish Companies Bribing for Uzbek Telecommunications Market

The United States Justice Department has continued its international investigation into Uzbek President Islam Karimovs eldest daughter, Gulnara Karimova. Gulnara, who is currently under house arrest in Uzbekistan, has been the target of investigations since September of 2014.  Gulnara has allegedly accepted bribes from Russian and Swedish companies for access to Uzbekistan’s telecommunications market. The DOJ, in conjunction with several other European countries, has requested that roughly 1 billion dollars in assets be frozen. These assets are allegedly tied to Gulnara through VimpelCom and MTS of Russia and TeliaSonera of Sweden, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In Switzerland last year, a money-laundering case was launched against her, further expanding the international pursuit of justice. The case centered on the allegation that TeliaSonera paid an intervenor (a Gibraltar based company named Takilant) roughly 320 million dollars for 3G network phone rights in Uzbekistan. Close to 60 of Gulnara’s alleged associates have been tried and sentenced for financial fraud in Uzbekistan and have received long-term prison sentences.

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