TASHKENT (Satrapia) — The eldest daughter of Uzbekistan’s first president, Gulnara Karimova, has announced the return of $1.2 bln in assets to the state. She is currently serving a sentence in the Zangiatinsky District No. 21 Women’s Prison in the Tashkent region, where she was transferred in March 2019.

Gulnara Arrest in September 2014

A message published under the account of “G. Karimova” on Instagram, declares:

By feeling a sense of responsibility with respect to my name and surname, I had time to realize the weight of all my actions, intentional or not. I realize that I had to meet higher requirements. Over time and through difficult situations, I have moved from one person to another to such an extent that I can take responsibility for my previous decisions and actions. I apologize to the people and to all those who respect and understand the problem I faced, for the disappointment I may have caused.

The message also indicates that nearly $1.2 bln of G. Karimova’s personal assets, located on the territory of Uzbekistan, have already been returned to the State:

Although the prosecutor’s office has stated that it is not possible to accurately calculate the amount of funds already expropriated by the State, I would like to declare, for the purposes of the Protocol, that so far only my personal property located on the territory of Uzbekistan has already been removed from my property […] which is confirmed in several local investigations, for an amount of $1.2 bln.

Karimova’s lawyers have withdrawn their requests to retain $131 mln of funds held in blocked accounts in Switzerland. At the moment, the same actions are refused for the remaining $555 mln.

Karimova’s appeal emphasizes:

Currently, I am concerned about my state of health and the urgent need for two surgeries, which prompts me to turn to the President. (...) Having known Shavkat Miromonovich as a political supporter of my father and as his shogird (“student”) — as he was sincerely called in one of his appeals to the people, as well as an individual and statesman, I can only hope from his generosity and truly wish to believe in it. I will soon have the opportunity to be treated and to be with my children.

It should be recalled that in 2015, criminal proceedings were initiated against Gulnara Karimova in Sweden, Switzerland and the United States, accusing her of the misappropriation of some $1 bln.

In December 2017, G. Karimov was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for financial abuse in Uzbekistan for an amount of approximately $53 mln. After appeal, the sentence was reduced to 5 years’ restriction of freedom (house arrest). She was incarcerated for violating parole conditions (using the Internet, being away from home…)