Court Cases - The Times Of Central Asia

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Human rights

Tajik Lawyer Jailed After Exposing Alleged Corruption in Prosecutor’s Office

In Tajikistan, 74-year-old lawyer Faizi Oli, also known as Faizali Yuldoshev, has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison after raising allegations of corruption within the prosecutor’s office. The Sino District Court in Dushanbe delivered its verdict on November 29. Oli was found guilty of “knowingly making a false denunciation” against employees of the prosecutor's office. However, he asserts that he merely exercised his right to file complaints with anti-corruption bodies, the Security Council, and the presidential administration, detailing what he described as evidence of corruption. A Controversial Case According to Oli’s lawyer, his complaints should have prompted an investigation, not legal proceedings against him. The court considered his advanced age when issuing the sentence, which fell below the minimum term of five years prescribed under Article 346 of the Tajik Criminal Code. The prosecution had sought a six-year prison term. Oli was arrested immediately after the verdict. Over the course of the five-month trial, he consistently maintained that the charges were baseless, and that filing complaints with the authorities is a legal right. This is not the first time Oli has been involved in a high-profile case; he previously defended his colleague, Saidnuriddin Shamsiddinov, who was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison on similar charges of false denunciation. At that time, Oli stressed the right of citizens to address grievances directly to the president and the Prosecutor General’s Office, a principle he believes is now being criminalized. Broader Context International human rights organizations have frequently criticized Tajikistan for targeting lawyers and human rights defenders. Many prominent figures, including Buzurgmehr Yorov, are serving lengthy prison sentences under controversial circumstances. Oli, known for his outspoken social media presence and comments on government operations, believes his activism may have influenced the court’s decision. He has announced plans to appeal the verdict after receiving the court’s written decision. The Prosecutor General's Office declined to comment on the case.

Crime

Swiss Bank Implicated in Corruption Scheme Linked to Islam Karimov’s Daughter

Swiss bank Banque Lombard Odier & Cie SA faces allegations of violating anti-money laundering regulations concerning funds linked to Gulnara Karimova, the controversial daughter of Uzbekistan’s first president, Islam Karimov. The Swiss Attorney General's Office revealed that the bank managed nine suspicious accounts tied to Karimova’s organization, the "Office," despite clear violations of external regulations and internal policies. A former bank manager was also charged with facilitating the scheme between 2005 and 2012. According to investigators, the "Office" functioned solely as a front to launder funds derived from corruption in Uzbekistan’s telecommunications sector. It reportedly had no legitimate business operations and employed no staff. The investigation found that the banker deliberately provided false information to obscure Karimova’s role as the ultimate beneficiary of the accounts. The individual is also accused of destroying or concealing documents that could have exposed the illegal origins of the funds. From 2011 to 2012, the banker allegedly allowed unauthorized access to a safe linked to the “Office,” enabling the removal of critical evidence supporting fraudulent transactions. Gulnara Karimova was once a prominent figure in her father’s administration, known for her roles as a singer, fashion designer, socialite, businesswoman, and diplomat. At one point, she was even considered a potential successor to Islam Karimov. However, by late 2013, her relationship with her father deteriorated, resulting in her political downfall. By 2014, her residence was raided, and she was implicated in a corruption case involving Swedish telecom giant TeliaSonera. Her legal troubles escalated, with convictions in 2015 for embezzlement, public fund misappropriation, and tax evasion, leading to a five-year sentence. This was extended in 2017, placing her under house arrest alongside her daughter. In 2019, Karimova was moved to a penal colony for violating house arrest conditions. In 2020, she was sentenced to an additional 13 years for crimes including creating a criminal association, extortion, and embezzlement. In September 2023, the Swiss General Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment against Karimova in the Federal Court. Prosecutors allege that foreign companies seeking entry into Uzbekistan’s telecommunications market were coerced into paying bribes through entities within the “Office” structure.' Karimova’s legal troubles extend beyond Uzbekistan. British courts have confiscated properties linked to her, valued at over £20 million. The ongoing investigation into her global operations has drawn attention to her role in one of the largest corruption cases in Uzbekistan’s history. This latest scandal has deepened scrutiny of Karimova’s dealings and raised questions about the accountability of financial institutions enabling such schemes.

Justice

Prosecutor General’s Office Issues Statement on Allamjonov Assassination Attempt

A month ago, reports emerged of an assassination attempt on Komil Allamjonov, the former head of the Presidential Department in Uzbekistan. Some media outlets speculated that Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov might be connected to the case. In response, the Prosecutor General’s Office has released an official statement addressing the incident. According to the statement, material evidence linked to the case was discovered during the inspection of the crime scene, searches of vehicles used by the suspects, and investigations at their residences. These findings have been crucial in advancing the case. So far, investigative efforts have identified seven individuals involved in the crime. Five of them have been placed under preventive detention, while two remain wanted by authorities. One suspect, identified as K.S., was located in Kazakhstan, where investigative procedures were carried out. Another suspect, Javlon Yunusov, was arrested in South Korea and subsequently deported to Uzbekistan. The investigation is still ongoing, and further details are expected as the case develops.

Crime

Uzbek Nationals Arrested in UAE Over Murder of Israeli Rabbi Zvi Kagan

The Times of Central Asia has reported that three Uzbek nationals are suspected in the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kagan, an Israeli-Moldovan citizen and prominent figure in the Jewish religious movement Chabad. The UAE Ministry of Interior announced the arrest of the suspects, identified as Olimpi Toirovich (28), Makhmudjon Abdurakhim (28), and Azizbek Kamlovich (33). A ministry-released photo showed the suspects blindfolded and shackled, underscoring the seriousness of the case. Authorities have transferred the investigation to the prosecutor’s office but have yet to disclose the specific charges or motive behind the murder. Rabbi Kagan, a UAE resident, was reported missing on November 21, prompting a swift search by local authorities. His body was discovered on November 24, leading to the identification and arrest of the suspects. A respected member of the UAE’s Jewish community, Kagan assisted the country’s chief rabbi and managed a kosher supermarket, Rimon, in Dubai. His contributions were pivotal in supporting the Jewish community in the region. The case has drawn significant attention due to Kagan’s prominent role and the mystery surrounding the crime. UAE officials have stated that the investigation is ongoing, with further details expected to emerge as it progresses.

Human rights

Turkmen Human Rights Activist Soltan Achilova Released After Forced Hospitalization

Renowned Turkmen journalist Soltan Achilova, along with her daughter and son-in-law, has been discharged from the infectious disease department of Choganly Hospital after six days of forced isolation. According to the Turkmenistan Chronicle portal, none of the three showed symptoms or signs of any infectious disease. Prior to their release, Achilova's apartment was disinfected, but authorities provided no explanation for their hospitalization or the results of medical tests conducted during their detention. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Achilova and her relatives were hospitalized after a group of men in medical coats forcibly removed them from their home on November 20. This happened on a day when the journalist was scheduled to travel to Geneva to attend a Martin Ennals Foundation award ceremony, where her work was to be recognized. The timing has led to widespread speculation that the hospitalization was a calculated effort to prevent her attendance. While in isolation, doctors conducted blood tests and nasal swabs but failed to announce any diagnosis. Despite this, medical staff prescribed treatment, which Achilova refused, citing the absence of an explanation for her condition. The journalist's release was reportedly facilitated by diplomatic interventions from several countries and pressure from international human rights organizations. Although now safely home, the incident highlights the increasingly hostile environment for human rights defenders and independent journalists in Turkmenistan, a country notorious for its oppressive restrictions on free speech and movement.

Crime

United Arab Emirates: 3 Uzbek Citizens Arrested in Rabbi Killing

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have arrested three Uzbek citizens in the killing of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi, the UAE’s Ministry of Interior said Monday. Israel described the killing as an act of antisemitic terrorism. The suspects in the death of Zvi Kogan were identified as Olympi Tohirovich and Makhmodjon Abdulraheem, both 28, as well as 33-year-old Azizbek Kamlovich, according to the UAE ministry. It said a murder investigation was underway and the matter will be referred to public prosecutors. The ministry commended security forces for “their efficiency in addressing attempts to undermine the safety and stability of the UAE community.” The ministry posted photos of the suspects, showing them blindfolded, handcuffed and wearing blue detention clothing. Kogan, the envoy of the ultra-Orthodox Chabad-Lubavitch movement to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, was killed after being abducted on Thursday and his body was recovered early Sunday morning, according to Chabad.org. Kogan’s funeral was held in Israel on Monday. “The murder of Zvi Kogan, of blessed memory, is an abhorrent act of antisemitic terrorism,” Israel said in a statement. “The State of Israel will use all means and will deal with the criminals responsible for his death to the fullest extent of the law.” There were no immediate public statements from Uzbek authorities.