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CORRUPTION

Switzerland blocks millions in Uzbek probe

Switzerland has blocked bank accounts containing several hundreds of millions of dollars in a money-laundering probe involving Uzbek nationals, the attorney general's office said Wednesday.

"The attorney general has frozen several hundreds of millions of francs (dollars) in different Swiss bank accounts as part of this investigation," said Jeannette Balmer, a spokeswoman for the office known as the MPC.

Individuals close to Uzbek President Islam Karimov are at the centre of the probe, Radio Television Suisse (RTS) reported.

Four Uzbek nationals are accused of involvement in money-laundering, according to the MPC, which said two were arrested in Geneva on July 30th and remain in custody.

Swiss daily Blick reported that both work for Coca-Cola Uzbekistan, which is owned by the president's daughter Gulnara Karimova, also the country's ambassador to Spain and the United Nations in Geneva.

According to RTS, one of the two people being sought is a former employee of Uzdunrobita, the Uzbek subsidiary of Russian telecoms operator MTS.

Swedish telecoms firm TeliaSonera is also cited in the probe which involves contracts dating back to 2007 worth hundreds of millions of dollars, providing access to Uzbekistan's telecoms market, RTS reported.

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CORRUPTION

Barçagate: Police raid FC Barcelona offices and arrest former president

Police raided the offices of FC Barcelona on Monday, carrying out several arrests just six days ahead of the club's presidential elections, a Catalan regional police spokesman told AFP.

Barçagate: Police raid FC Barcelona offices and arrest former president
Barcelona's former president Josep Maria Bartomeu is among the arrested. Photo: Josep Lago/AFP

Spain's Cadena Ser radio said one of those arrested was former club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned in October, along with CEO Oscar Grau and the club's head of legal services.

But the police refused to confirm names, saying only “arrests are taking place” and adding that the operation was being run by officers from the financial crimes unit.

“We are in the process of carrying out an operation right now with agents of the financial crimes unit,” the police spokesman told AFP.

According to reports in the Spanish media, the operation is linked to last year's investigation into the 'BarçaGate' scandal, which saw the club deny hiring a company to criticise current and former players on social media to improve the image of the then-president Bartomeu.

Cadena Ser said Barca paid €1 million in six separate invoices to the company I3 Ventures, with whom the club have since cut ties.

Bartomeu resigned in October, after mounting pressure following months of controversy and a dramatic decline in performances on the pitch.

His successor is due to be elected on Sunday, when club members will choose between the final three candidates, Joan Laporta, Toni Freixa and Victor Font.

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