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Alisher Usmanov

German Court Restricts Media Claims About Russian-Uzbek Billionaire Alisher Usmanov

A German court has ruled in favor of Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov, barring the publication of several contested statements made about him by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), according to court documents cited by Reuters. In a decision dated January 23, the Hamburg Regional Court prohibited FAZ from further disseminating specific sections of its April 2023 article titled On the Kremlin’s Instructions. The statements in question allegedly linked Usmanov to senior Russian officials. The court determined that these claims may no longer be repeated in their current form. Usmanov, who was born in Uzbekistan, has an estimated net worth of $18.8 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He is subject to European Union and United States sanctions, including a travel ban, imposed following the start of the war in Ukraine. Over the past two years, he has launched multiple legal challenges in European courts, contesting media reports that he argues were used as justification for the sanctions. Reacting to the ruling, Usmanov’s lawyer, Joachim Steinhöfel, said the statements banned by the court “repeated essential parts of the reasoning behind the sanctions against Mr. Usmanov.” He added that the decision supports the argument that the sanctions were based on what he described as “defamatory and groundless allegations,” Reuters reported. FAZ said it is considering an appeal. A spokesperson for the newspaper warned that the court’s legal criteria could make it more difficult to report on individuals in authoritarian systems, raising broader concerns about press freedom. Separately, in 2024, another Hamburg court ruled against the German broadcaster ARD over a report that linked Usmanov to a scheme involving alleged bribes to judges at the International Fencing Federation. The court banned further distribution of the report, describing it as “news based on suspicion.” Violations of the order could lead to fines of up to €250,000 per incident or imprisonment. Reuters also reported that German authorities agreed last month to close a foreign trade law investigation involving Usmanov after he paid €10 million. A separate money laundering probe was dropped in 2024.

Society

Uzbek Professor Hits Back at Vladimir Solovyov for Central Asia “Military Operation” Comments

Controversial remarks by Russian television host Vladimir Solovyov, suggesting that Moscow could conduct “special military operations” in Central Asia and Armenia, have continued to provoke a strong reaction in Uzbekistan. Scholars, journalists, and political analysts have all weighed in on the rhetoric as indicative of a dangerous political mindset developing in Russia. During a recent broadcast, Solovyov referred to Russia’s role in the region in terms that some Uzbek experts interpret as veiled threats of interference in the affairs of sovereign Central Asian states. The comments drew immediate responses from Uzbek academics, who underscored their nations' independence and territorial integrity. Political scientist and university professor Sherzodkhon Qudratkhodja issued a detailed rebuttal, emphasizing the historical and strategic gravity of Solovyov’s words. “As a citizen of a sovereign state, such remarks are unacceptable,” he said. “They challenge our independence, our territorial integrity, and our peoples' right to determine their own futures.” Qudratkhodja rejected the notion of Central Asia as a geopolitical periphery. “We are not subjects of external governance. Central Asia is a region with its own history and geopolitical agency. We are no longer objects in foreign policy, we are actors.” He warned that such public commentary normalizes the concept of military intervention by gradually expanding the so-called Overton window, the range of ideas tolerated in public discourse. “When statements like this are introduced as provocation, then normalized through discussion, and ultimately proposed as policy, it becomes a form of normalizing violence through public speech,” he said. Qudratkhodja also highlighted Central Asia’s long-standing sovereignty and global contributions. “Our history spans at least 3,500 years. Turkic peoples, including Uzbeks, pioneered the domestication of horses, early metallurgy for agriculture and warfare, and other advancements. Our ancestors were defenders of their lands and civilizations.” Turning to the geopolitical relationship between Russia and Central Asia, he said that strategic partnerships must be based on mutual respect. “Partnerships are not built on public threats or innuendo. Statements like Solovyov’s are unacceptable, especially when made about strategic partners in an increasingly multipolar world.” While Qudratkhodja acknowledged that Solovyov’s views do not represent official Russian policy, he warned that silence from Russian authorities allows such rhetoric to gain legitimacy. “Even when expressed as personal opinion, if such statements go unanswered by officials, they gain undue influence and risk becoming perceived signals that can destabilize the region.” Uzbek experts also pointed to the cultural and historical resilience of the region. Qudratkhodja invoked the legacy of Tamerlane, arguing that Central Asia has played pivotal roles in shaping regional history. “If our ancestor Tamerlane had not defeated Tokhtamysh in 1395, there would be no Russian Federation as we know it today. Our strategic role in Eurasia cannot be dismissed.” He also directly addressed Solovyov, rejecting any sense of professional kinship. “I do not consider Mr. Solovyov a colleague. His worldview belongs to the propaganda of the past. Today, discourse must be grounded in historical fact and mutual respect, not threats or insinuations.” The reaction in Uzbekistan has extended beyond academia. Social...

Day J

Almaty Hosts Winter Edition of Day J With JingleBendz 2025

On December 12, Almaty hosted the winter edition of Day J, a festive gathering titled JingleBendz 2025 that brought together journalists, public relations specialists, editors, bloggers, and communications professionals from across the country. This year, organizers chose a “Multiverse” theme. Guests arrived dressed as characters from Disney films, anime, and Soviet era cartoons, giving the evening a playful, informal atmosphere. Beyond the entertainment, JingleBendz 2025 served a familiar role in the communications community, a year end moment to take stock of professional milestones and recognize standout work. Informal awards were presented to individuals and teams across several categories. The event was supported by partners and sponsors including Yandex Qazaqstan (general sponsor), Oriflame, KAZ Minerals, First Brewery (Heineken), RG Brands (Salaam Premium Cola), and the VNV Club. [caption id="attachment_40875" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] @2BAgency[/caption] Awards and winners at JingleBendz 2025: Wisest Advisor: Aibar Olzhai, OSCE consultant on national communications in Kazakhstan Most Useful Media Outlet of 2025: Digital Business editorial team, led by Vitali Valianiuk (collective nomination from Yandex Qazaqstan) Most Determined Media Manager: Samal Ibrayeva, founder of Ulysmedia and National Business Most Productive Editor in Chief: Saida Suleeva, Tribune Most Responsive Journalist: Nazira Darimbet Grand Prix, Most Popular Expert: Dosym Satpayev, political scientist, publicist, and publisher Media support was provided by Times of Central Asia, Tribune, BesMedia, Kapital, Zakon.kz, Kursiv, Shishkin_like, National Business, BlueScreen, Profit, Finratings, CheckPoint, newtimes.kz, and aleminform.kz. [caption id="attachment_40876" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] @2BAgency[/caption] Day J and JingleBendz are held twice a year in Almaty, Astana, and regional centers. Now in its 11th year, the initiative has become a key platform for informal networking, partnership building, and recognition within the communications sector. It also functions as a testing ground for new ways of connecting media outlets, public relations agencies, and brands.

Media

Nomad TV: Russia’s Latest Media Venture in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan has a new TV station. At first glance, it’s the kind of cozy, local news channel satirized in 2004’s Anchorman. The headline item on December 10th was the fact that it had snowed in Bishkek, with the on-screen reporter treading around the city asking residents whether they felt cold. “Not really,” is the general response, given that plummeting temperatures are hardly a new phenomenon in the Kyrgyz capital. “What kind of precautions did you take against the weather?” the reporter asks one gentleman. “Put on a hat and gloves,” comes the droll reply. This piece is followed by an interview with a representative of the city’s police service, advising people to tread carefully on the icy pavements. Similar soft news items follow: an interview on the progress of Asman eco-city on Lake Issyk Kul; the modernization of a factory in Bishkek; and the announcement of a new coach for the national football team. These are hardly stories to make waves. Indeed, most people in Bishkek are unaware of the new channel’s existence. “It hasn't been a major discussion point; the only presence that I felt is this huge, green box that has been installed on the central square,” Nurbek Bekmurzaev, the Central Asian editor of Global Voices, told The Times of Central Asia, referring to the broadcaster’s temporary studio at the heart of the city. Yet Nomad is one of the best-funded media outfits in the country, offering salaries twice as high as those paid by rival organizations. And, in one form or another, it seems clear that the money is coming from the Russian state. So why has the Kremlin, which is hardly underrepresented in Kyrgyzstan’s media sphere, decided to throw such sums at a local news station? [caption id="attachment_40853" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Nomad TV’s temporary studio on Ala-Too square in the heart of Bishkek; image: TCA, Joe Luc Barnes[/caption] A Bold Start Nomad’s initial coverage was not so banal. On November 23, the channel began broadcasting with a cascade of high-profile interviews linked to Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Kyrgyzstan on November 25-27. This followed a lavish launch ceremony at the city’s opera house, attended by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, and the Kyrgyz deputy Prime Minister Edil Baisalov. Putin himself lauded the new channel in his speech on November 26, and gave its chief editor, Natalia Korolevich, an exclusive interview the following day. This followed a feverish autumn, which the broadcaster had spent poaching talent from newsrooms around Bishkek. This included Mirbek Moldabekov, a veteran broadcaster from the state television channel, UTRK; the head of Sputnik in Kyrgyzstan, Erkin Alimbekov; and his wife, Svetlana Akmatalieva, a journalist from the National TV and Radio Corporation. The channel’s producer is Anna Abakumova, a former RT journalist who gained fame reporting from Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine. These aggressive recruitment tactics have split the profession in Kyrgyzstan. Journalist Adil Turdukolov asserted in an interview with Exclusive.kz that anyone who has chosen to work for Nomad “is not particularly concerned with...

Media

Kazakh Journalists Set to Ring in 2026 at the “JingleBendz” Media Party

On 12 December, Almaty will host the New Year’s edition of the professional media party “Day J,” titled JingleBendz 2025. The annual event brings together journalists, editors, public relations specialists, and media executives, and is regarded as one of the leading informal networking platforms in Kazakhstan’s communications industry. According to the organizers, the evening will include informal awards for journalists and PR professionals. Since the project’s launch 11 years ago, more than 140 representatives of the media sector have received accolades. This year, participants will also receive special gifts, including a separate award presented by the event’s general sponsor, Yandex Qazaqstan. The party is supported by several project partners, including Oriflame, KAZ Minerals, RG Brands, and First Brewery, all of which will provide prizes and New Year gifts. Kazakhstan’s major media outlets are backing the event, among them The Times of Central Asia, Tribune, BesMedia, Kapital, Kursiv, Shishkin_like, BlueScreen, Profit, Finratings, CheckPoint, Newtimes.kz, and Aleminform.kz. The Times of Central Asia editorial team will attend JingleBendz 2025 and report on the event’s key moments.

TCA Interviews

Nigora Fazliddin: The Social Media Storyteller Bringing Life in Tajikistan to the World

For all its beauty and Silk Road history, Tajikistan remains one of the least visited countries on earth. Life in its epic mountain ranges is rarely captured by photographers, and documentary films are few and far between – mainly half-hearted vlogs by the foreigners who pass through on the Pamir Highway. But in recent years, one Tajik filmmaker and travel influencer has made it her mission to show both her own people and the wider world what makes her homeland so extraordinary. Nigora Fazliddin, a former journalist from Dushanbe, is part of a new generation of creators using social media to bridge cultural distances. Posting simple videos and photographs from her journeys in Tajikistan, she captures the landscapes and communities that outsiders, and even many Tajiks, rarely get to see. "This love I have for our land – its wild beauty, its silence, its soul – I try to share with others," she tells The Times of Central Asia. "On X I mostly reach an international audience, since it's not very popular in Tajikistan. But on Instagram, it's a different story. That’s where Tajiks find me, and where I find them." [caption id="attachment_35211" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Image: Nigora Fazliddin[/caption] One of her favorite discoveries, she says, is Shirkent National Park in the south-west of the country, where fossilized dinosaur footprints mark the earth. "It gives you goosebumps to stand there and imagine creatures walking those same paths millions of years ago," she adds. Then there are the Pamirs, often called “the roof of the world.” At 7,495 meters, Peak Somoni attracts mountaineers from Central Asia and further afield. The region is also home to the rare Marco Polo sheep and shaggy yaks, which are found only here. But what lingers most for Fazliddin is not the challenge of climbing or the sight of wildlife, but the solitude of valleys so remote that no car can reach them. She also cherishes journeys into the Yaghnob Gorge, where people still live as their ancestors did. There she met a shepherd in his seventies, Mirzoali, who has spent four decades with his flock among the peaks. "He told me, “I’ve been a shepherd for 40 years – and I never get tired of it.’” His secret? Clean air, peace, a healthy routine – and living in the mountains year-round. That’s the kind of wisdom you can only find in the mountains," she says. [caption id="attachment_35209" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Image: Nigora Fazliddin[/caption] What Fazliddin shares online is more than travel content. For many Tajiks, especially those in cities, her images bring new perspectives to familiar places. "My Instagram has become like a mirror where people can see themselves, their roots, and the beauty they grew up with – but may have never really looked at," she explains. The responses have been moving. Her social media followers now invite her to visit their villages. For Fazliddin, these moments confirm that her work is worth doing: "It makes me feel like what I do matters – even in...