Gulnora Karimova

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Gulnora Karimova
Gulnora Karimova at the World Economic Forum in Jordan 2009

Gulnora Islomovna Karimova ( Russian Гульнара Исламовна Каримова / Gulnara Islamowna Karimowa ; born July 8, 1972 in Fergana , Uzbek SSR , Soviet Union ) is an Uzbek politician, diplomat and entrepreneur. She is the founder and chairwoman of the trust council of the foundation “Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan” as well as several NGOs that are active in cultural and social areas. She is the eldest daughter of the former Uzbek President Islom Karimov . She has been under house arrest or in custody since 2017.

Early life and education

Karimova was born in 1972 in Fergana as the daughter of the later Uzbek President Islom Karimov and his wife Tatiana . She graduated from the mathematical youth academy in Tashkent in 1988. In 1989 her father became head of government in the Uzbek SSR and in 1991, when the Soviet Union dissolved, he became the country's first president. From 1989 to 1994 she attended the State University in Tashkent, where the Bachelor graduated from the Department of International Economics. During her sophomore year, she worked as a translator for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan. In 1992 she completed a jewelry design course at the New York Institute of Fashion and Technology.

Between 1994 and 1996 she attended the Economic Institute of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, where she also obtained her master's degree. During the years 1994–1995 she worked as a trainee teacher in both departments for political science at the Tashkent University for World Economy and Diplomacy (TUWD). After that, from the summer of 1995 to 1996, she worked at the Policy Analysis and Forecasting Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, where she was responsible for preparing analytical reports for the State Security Council and the Presidency.

From 1998 to 2000, Karimova attended Harvard University , where she earned a master's degree in regional studies. At the same time she was at the Tashkent University of World Economy and Diplomacy enrolled . There she was awarded a doctorate in political science in 2001 and the title professor in political science in 2009. Since 2006 she has also had a bachelor's degree in telecommunications, awarded by the Tashkent University of Information Technology .

Marriage and divorce

In 1991 Karimova married Mansur Maqsudi, an American businessman of Afghan origin. They have two children together, the son Islam (* 1992) and the daughter Iman (* 1998). After the couple separated in July 2001, Karimova moved back to Uzbekistan with both children. The Uzbek judge granted her custody of the children, while the New Jersey Superior Court gave Maqsudi custody.

An arrest warrant for Maqsudi was issued in Uzbekistan and some of his relatives were arrested and imprisoned. Other relatives were herded from Afghanistan to the Uzbek-Afghan border and arrested on the Uzbek side. Maqsudi's business in Uzbekistan, his stake in the joint venture with Coca-Cola, has been revoked. According to a US Congressman, these incidents against Maqsudi show an abuse of office or power by President Karimov.

According to The Guardian , Karimova received $ 4.5 million worth of jewelry and approximately $ 60 million worth of business in the divorce. According to a court ruling from Justice Deanne M. Wilson ( New Jersey State Supreme Court ), custody of the two children was given to Karimova on July 9, 2008.

Career path

Political and diplomatic career

Between summer 1995 and autumn 1997 Karimova worked as an advisor to the Uzbek Foreign Minister and worked in the organization of the Tashkent International Conference “Central Asia - Nuclear Weapons Free Zone”. In 1998 and from 2000 to 2003 she served as an advisor to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United Nations in New York. From 2003 to 2005 she worked as an embassy counselor in the Uzbek embassy in Moscow . She served again as advisor to the Foreign Minister from 2005 to 2008. In February 2008 she became Deputy Foreign Minister for International Cooperation in the Cultural and Humanitarian Areas, in September 2008 as Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva and in January 2010 appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Spain. She is a member of the Cercle Diplomatique de Genève. In 2012, Gulnara was awarded the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Prize for "Silk Road and Humanitarian Cooperation".

Promotion of Uzbekistan in politics

In 2005, Karimova founded and promoted the first Uzbek independent research center for political studies. The center is engaged in scientifically applied research on current problems of domestic and foreign policy in the Republic of Uzbekistan, regional security, economic development and international cooperation, as well as the preparation of information, analysis and forecasting materials. By 2013 the center worked with more than 25 institutions worldwide. Karimova was the editor-in-chief of the monthly informational, analytical journal "Uzbekistan and Central Asia".

social commitment

Five NGOs were founded in Uzbekistan on Karimova's initiative . In 2009 two foundations - the Foundation for the Support of Social Initiatives (SISF) and the Public Association “Women's Assembly” - organized a conference on the subject of “Medical Aspects and the Role of Social Organizations in Resolving Breast Cancer Problems”. In 2006, under the aegis of SISF, Karimova initiated microcredit for women farmers in rural areas of Uzbekistan.

Karimova was the founder and chairwoman of the Trustee Council of the Foundation “Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan” (known as Fund Forum). This largest NGO in Uzbekistan was founded in spring 2004. Since then, Fund Forum has signed several memoranda of understanding with international organizations. In 2010 Fund Forum was given advisory status at ECOSOC (United Nations Economic and Social Council). On December 24, 2010 the International Olympic Committee awarded Fund Forum with its annual “Sport - Inspiring Young People” prize for youth activities in the fields of sport, education and culture. Together with the promotion of national culture and art, Fund Forum also grants educational grants and scholarships for students. In June 2010, Fund Forum, in collaboration with other foundations, provided humanitarian aid to people harmed by the events in neighboring Kyrgyzstan .

In 2010, on the initiative of Karimova, the charitable marathon “In the Name of Life” was founded under the aegis of Fund Forum, the Public Association “Women's Assembly” and the National Association against Breast Cancer. Since then, around 100,000 people from Uzbekistan have taken part in the marathon. In 2012 Karimova donated 25 million soums to the National Association against Breast Cancer for the purchase of cancer drugs.

In April 2012 it announced that it had started the establishment of a new NGO - “Forum of Socially Responsible Citizens of Uzbekistan”. It focuses on supporting the social initiatives of Uzbek citizens.

Youth policy

In 2004, the Republican Festival "Yangi Avlod" (New Generation) was founded to support and develop children in the arts. In 2009 it was announced that two world-famous footballers, Samuel Eto'o and Cristiano Ronaldo , were supporting Karimova's new initiative - the program to support young footballers. To this end, the two players signed memoranda of cooperation with Fund Forum. Another project is the competition for talented young people "Kelajak Ovozi" (Voice of the Future). Since 2005, almost 388,000 young people have participated in projects in areas such as IT, architecture and design, social innovation and poetry.

music

In 2006 Karimova released her first music video for the song “Unutma Meni” (Forget Me Not) under the pseudonym “Googoosha”, her father's nickname for her. According to commentators, it was part of a campaign to promote their popularity in Uzbekistan. In another music video she sings the song "Besame Mucho" as a duet with Julio Iglesias.

In December 2012, Googoosha released a duet with French actor Gerard Depardieu. During his visit to Uzbekistan, he accepted the lead role in an Uzbek film. Gulnara Karimova wrote a screenplay for "The Theft of the White Cocoon", a story about the origin of Central Asian silk in the period from the 5th to 6th centuries in Central Asia.

In April 2012 Googoosha's first single "Round Run" was released with various remixes by DJ White Shadow, Razor N Guido from the USA and Maxim Fadeev from Russia. The remix from the album "was broadcast several times by radio and broadcast to more than 100 clubs in the USA". This single reached # 5 on the US Billboard breakouts for Hot Dance Club Play. In June 2012, Karimova released her self-titled debut album in the US and on iTunes. The songs were played incessantly on Uzbek radio, not elsewhere.

Fashion and jewelry design

In March 2009 Karimova presented her own jewelry collection "GULI for Chopard", which was designed for the well-known Swiss company Chopard. It was reported that the proceeds from the collection would be transferred to the “Yangi Avlod” (New Generation) children's festival. In September 2010, as part of the New York Fashion Week , Karimova presented her clothing line "Guli", which is characterized by Uzbek fabrics and based on the traditional Uzbek long coat designs. In September 2011, Human Rights Watch and other organizations drew attention to the association with her father's government, the existence of child and forced labor. As a result, Karimova's planned Spring 2012 fashion show as part of New York Fashion Week was banned. According to Human Rights Watch, up to two million Uzbek children are forced to drop out of school to pick cotton for two months each year. This cotton is used as the fabric for Karimova's designs. Despite this, the fashion show took place in New York, but with the changed location - Cipriani. In Uzbekistan, Karimova also organizes Style.uz Art Week with fashion shows by international designers such as Cavalli, Scervino and Chopard. Art Week consists of Theatre.uz International Theater Festival, Golden Guepard Tashkent International Film Forum, Biennale and Photobiennale exhibitions as well as workshops, round tables, concerts and charity events. On October 8th as part of Style.Uz Art Week 2012, Gulnara Karimova presented her first fragrance, Victorious for men and Mysterieuse for women. The fragrances were created by the French perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour. Well-known Turkish actor Halit Ergenç became the face of Victorious for men.

Corruption allegations and preliminary investigations in Switzerland

Gulnara Karimova was one of the richest people in Uzbekistan long after her father and next to her siblings. In the course of her diplomatic and business activities, there were repeated allegations of corruption. Karimova is said to have been in contact with the bankrupt company Zeromax, based in Zug, Switzerland , which went bankrupt in 2010 and handled billion-dollar deals in gas, oil and cotton. According to US dispatches published by WikiLeaks , the Uzbek presidential daughter is said to be behind Zeromax. However, Zeromax and Gulnara Karimova have denied that.

Shortly before the bankruptcy, the company commissioned a multi-billion dollar construction contract for a congress hall in Tashkent , in which several dozen German medium-sized companies were also involved. After completion, these are still waiting to be paid. However, fashion and jewelry shows from Gulnara Karimova clothing line Guli were regularly exhibited here.

Karimova is also suspected of having been involved in the scandal surrounding the exclusion of the Russian mobile operator MTS from Uzbekistan. As a result, two money laundering investigations were initiated in Switzerland and Sweden against four people close to them. Over 300 million dollars are said to have flowed to people in this environment through an account of the Swedish TeliaSonera Group. Gulnara Karimova's net worth was estimated at up to $ 600 million.

At the end of August 2013, an investigative agency in Switzerland, together with the police, searched Karimova's villa in Geneva in order to collect further evidence. In September 2013, criminal investigations were extended to include her after she had previously enjoyed diplomatic immunity as Uzbekistan's permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva . Karimova was suspected of money laundering in March 2014 by the Swiss federal prosecutor's office ; Assets worth more than 800 million francs (the equivalent of 659 million euros) were seized.

Development from 2014

After Karimova openly criticized her father's regime in 2013, she completely lost her political influence and she has not been known to have had any Internet activities since around mid-February 2014. It has been speculated that she has been arrested or is under house arrest. In March 2014, the BBC received an anonymous handwritten letter allegedly written by Karimova complaining of psychological and physical abuse. Apparently she was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2017, which she was allowed to spend in house arrest. In 2019, according to her Swiss lawyer, she was arrested for violating the requirements not to leave the house and not to use the internet in order to serve the remaining sentence.

Web links

Commons : Gulnora Karimova  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ The Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Foundation - NGO's and projects ( Memento from January 13, 2013 in the Internet Archive )
  2. ↑ a b Uzbekistan: President's elder daughter named Deputy Foreign Minister , Ferghana.Ru. Archived from the original on March 10, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2013. 
  3. ↑ a b c d Biography . Website Gulnara Karimova. Archived from the original on August 7, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  4. ↑ The degree was obtained from a special institute outside of the usual Harvard studies. See Erika Fatland: Sowjetistan , FFM 2019, p. 482 ISBN 9783518470800
  5. ↑ a b GOULNARA KARIMOVA'S WORLD OF DIPLOMACY, CULTURE AND CHARITY . In: Diva International . Retrieved January 11, 2013. 
  6. ↑ Gulnara Karimova Biography . In: Infomat Fashion . Archived from the original on April 13, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2013. 
  7. ↑ a b Julian Coman: Bitter divorce threatens unlikely alliance at the heart of war on terror . In: The Telegraph , April 18, 2004. Retrieved February 12, 2013. 
  8. ^ Peter Baker: Battle Royal . In: Washington Post , April 13, 2004. Retrieved February 12, 2013. 
  9. ^ Edward Alden, Andrew Ward: Bottled up: Why Coke stands accused of being too cozy with the Karimovs . Financial Times. June 13, 2006. Retrieved November 22, 2008.
  10. ↑ a b Tom Parfitt: 'Princess of Uzbeks' cavorts in a cartoon wonderland . In: The Guardian , August 11, 2006. Retrieved February 12, 2013. 
  11. ^ John Carlin: Laporta y la diva uzbeca. El presidente del Barcelona ha hecho negocios con la hija del presidente del régimen del país asiático y uno de los peores tiranos del mundo, donde existen la tortura y el esclavismo (spanish) . In: El Pais , May 9, 2010. Retrieved February 12, 2013. 
  12. ↑ Gulnara Karimova becomes an honorary member of the Swiss diplomatic club . UzDaily.com. February 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  13. ↑ SCO award goes to Chairperson of Fund Forum's Board of Trustees . Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  14. ^ Central Asian Energy Market: Trends and Prospects . People's Daily, China. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  15. ↑ about us . Archived from the original on May 7, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  16. ^ International Forum: "Medical aspects and role of public organizations in breast cancer problems solution" . SISF.uz. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  17. ↑ Female Funding . World Business TV. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  18. ↑ Uzbekistan Provides 128 Women With Micro Loans for Business Development . In: CNW Telbec . Archived from the original on June 5, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013. 
  19. ↑ Alex Simons: Uzbekistan: Traditions of the Past, Visions of the Future . Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  20. ↑ Uzbekistan: TV sets for the people. June 15, 2008, archived from the original on May 4, 2019 .;
  21. ↑ activity of the fund forum . Retrieved on January 15, 2013.  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / zeraflex-tours.com  
  22. ^ Singer Cesaria Evora to Give Grants to Talented Uzbek Youth . ImmediaPress. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  23. ↑ Uzbek-Kyrgyz Refugee Crisis Mobilises International Aid Response
  24. ↑ Charitable marathons kick off across Uzbekistan ( Memento from May 16, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
  25. ^ Charitable marathons kick off across Uzbekistan . In: The Forbes Custom . Retrieved January 15, 2013. 
  26. ^ Forum marathon In the Name of Life raises 216 million soums ( Memento from April 9, 2013 in the Internet Archive )
  27. ↑ D Azizov: Uzbekistan Fund Forum completes more than 600 projects in 2012 . Retrieved January 15, 2013. 
  28. ↑ [1]  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.gulnarakarimova.com  
  29. ^ Susan G. Komen Uzbekistan Race for the Cure draws 20,000 people . In: 12.uz News Agency . Retrieved on January 15, 2013.  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Toter Link / www.12.uz  
  30. ^ A b Samuel Eto'o launches new project for children of Uzbekistan . Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  31. ↑ Cristiano Ronaldo and Fund Forum sign cooperation agreement . Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  32. ↑ Cristiano Ronaldo's Visit to Uzbekistan: My Experience with the Famous Football Player . Retrieved January 14, 2013. 
  33. ↑ РЕСПУБЛИКАНСКОЙ КОНКУРС ОДАРЕННОЙ МОЛОДЕЖИ «КЕЛАЖАК ОВОЗИ» ( Memento of the original from April 9, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / kelajakovozi.uz
  34. ^ Richard Orange: Gulnara Karimova profile . In: The Telegraph , April 15, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2013. 
  35. ↑ Uzbek president's daughter releases duet with Depardieu . In: AFP , December 5, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2013. 
  36. ↑ Gerard Depardieu to star in Uzbek film by Karimov's daughter . In: The Telegraph , November 29, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2013. 
  37. ↑ Uzbek president's daughter releases album in English ( Memento from June 15, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
  38. ↑ ROUND RUN # 5 BREAKOUT - US CLUBS! . Retrieved January 11, 2013. 
  39. ↑ UzDaily: Googoosha releases debut album worldwide. Retrieved May 4, 2019 (Russian).
  40. ↑ Guli for Chopard . Website Guli.uz. Archived from the original on December 5, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  41. ^ Uzbekistan's 1st daughter 'to design for Chopard . France 24. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  42. ^ Gulnara Karimova to launch new jewelry line . Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Archived from the original on February 25, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  43. ↑ Richard Orange: Daughter of Uzbek president unveils her fashion collection . In: The Telegraph , September 12, 2010. Retrieved February 12, 2013. 
  44. ↑ Guli Show relocated during Fashion Week . Archived from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  45. ^ Fashion Week Cancels Show of Uzbek Dictator's Daughter . Human Rights Watch. September 15, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  46. ↑ Guli Spring 2012 Backstage & Show at New York Fashion Week ( Memento of the original from January 11, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Fashion TV's Guli Spring 2012 Backstage & Show at New York Fashion Week. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.fashiontv.com
  47. ↑ Style UZ. Art Week ft Cavalli, Scervino, Chopard & Underground | FashionTV - FTV ( Memento of the original from July 9, 2012 in the web archive archive.today ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / fashiontv.buzznet.com
  48. ↑ Uzbeks celebrate Art Week ( Memento from March 16, 2013 in the Internet Archive )
  49. ↑ Новые ароматы знаменитости: Guli Mysterieuse для нее и Guli Victorious для него от дизайнера Гульнары Каримовой . Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  50. ↑ Парфюмерные новинки от Guli . Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  51. ↑ "Mysterieuse" & "Victorious" от GULIl . Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  52. ↑ a b c Marcus Bensmann: Uzbek megalomania: The palace building in Tashkent . In: The daily newspaper: taz . May 24, 2011, ISSN  0931-9085 ( taz.de [accessed May 4, 2019]).
  53. ↑ A congress hall flies in. Retrieved May 4, 2019 .
  54. ↑ Marcus Bensmann: Power struggle in Uzbekistan: cat war of the dictator's daughters . In: Spiegel Online . October 24, 2013 ( spiegel.de [accessed May 4, 2019]).
  55. ↑ Uzbek president's daughter linked to telecoms scandal . November 27, 2012 ( bbc.com [accessed May 4, 2019]).
  56. ↑ Subscribe to read. Retrieved May 4, 2019 (UK English).
  57. ↑ Teliasonera negotiated Directly with the Karimov regime. Retrieved May 4, 2019 (Swedish).
  58. ↑ Uzbek dictator daughter: 800 million blocked. Retrieved May 4, 2019 .
  59. ↑ Natalia Antelava: Suspected Gulnara Karimova letter smuggled to the BBC. BBC News, March 25, 2014, accessed March 25, 2014 .
  60. ^ Gulnara Karimova sent to prison . In: BBC News . March 6, 2019 ( bbc.com [accessed May 13, 2020]).
personal data
SURNAME Karimova, Gulnora
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Karimova, Gulnora Islomovna (full name); Каримова, Гульнара Исламовна (Russian); Karimowa, Gulnara Islamovna
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Uzbek politician, daughter of the President of Uzbekistan
DATE OF BIRTH July 8, 1972
PLACE OF BIRTH Fergana , Uzbek SSR