Gulnara Karimova Faces Swiss Trial in Absentia Over Money Laundering Charges
The daughter of Uzbekistan’s former president, Gulnara Karimova, is facing trial in absentia in Switzerland on charges of bribery and money laundering involving hundreds of millions of dollars.
Proceedings opened in a federal criminal court in Bellinzona and are expected to run until late May. Karimova, 53, is currently serving a prison sentence in Uzbekistan and is unable to attend the hearings.
Swiss prosecutors allege she led a criminal network known as «The Office,» which involved dozens of individuals and companies. The group is accused of moving large sums of illicit funds through Switzerland and other jurisdictions, as well as storing cash and valuables in safe deposit boxes.
Karimova’s legal team has denied the allegations and said they will seek her full acquittal. Her lawyer argued she has been prevented from leaving detention in Uzbekistan to appear in court.
The case dates back to activities between 2005 and 2013, during the presidency of her father, Islam Karimov, who ruled the country until 2016.
Karimova is already serving a 13-year sentence in Uzbekistan following previous convictions related to corruption and financial crimes. The Swiss trial adds an international dimension to one of Central Asia’s most high-profile corruption cases.
