A large-scale corruption case involving Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of Uzbekistan’s last president Islam Karimov, is set to go to trial on April 27 at the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona, Switzerland, according to a Finews report and official Swiss sources. The proceedings mark a significant step in a case that has spanned nearly two decades.
The case centers on allegations by Switzerland’s Office of the Attorney General (OAG), which claims that Karimova built and operated a network referred to as the “Office.” According to prosecutors, the group extorted bribes from international telecommunications companies seeking access to the Uzbek market. The alleged activities date back to the late 2000s.
The investigation formally began in 2012, when Swiss authorities opened criminal proceedings against Karimova and a business associate. They face accusations including corruption, participation in a criminal organization, and money laundering. In 2015, the probe expanded to include a former banker at Lombard Odier in Geneva, accused of managing accounts linked to the network between 2008 and 2012.
While the bank itself is not charged with direct wrongdoing, the court is examining whether it fulfilled its obligations to prevent financial misconduct. Under Swiss law, this falls under corporate criminal liability. Similar cases have previously led to penalties against institutions such as Credit Suisse and Banque Pictet & Cie.
One of the most notable aspects of the case is its length and complexity. Although the alleged offenses date back more than 15 years, proceedings were only consolidated in May 2025, when the court merged separate investigations that had been handled independently for years.
The case has also involved unusual procedural steps. In early 2026, Swiss judges traveled to Tashkent to question Karimova, who has been imprisoned there since 2014. According to reports, the questioning took place under strict conditions, with questions relayed through Uzbekistan’s Prosecutor General’s Office rather than asked directly. These limitations have raised concerns among legal experts about whether the testimony meets Swiss evidentiary standards.
Further uncertainty surrounds the trial itself. It remains unclear whether the main defendants will appear in court. Karimova is not expected to attend in person due to her imprisonment, and the whereabouts of her co-defendant have not been confirmed.
Swiss authorities note that cases of this kind are often resolved through penal orders without a full trial. However, in this instance, the OAG has opted for court proceedings, indicating that key facts remain contested. The trial is expected to examine both the allegations and the conduct of the investigation, though its outcome remains uncertain.
