The government of Uzbekistan has issued an official response to the conclusion of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding the criminal prosecution of Gulnara Karimova, daughter of the country’s former president.
The UN group ruled during its 102nd session in April 2025 that Karimova’s detention was unlawful and in violation of international human rights standards. The group cited numerous procedural violations, including her 2014 arrest without a warrant, prolonged incommunicado house arrest, and court proceedings held in her kitchen, without adequate legal representation or access to case materials.
The Uzbek government challenged the group’s position, stating it was based on “one-sided information” and that Uzbekistan’s formal response had been ignored due to “procedural deadlines.” Authorities emphasized that all charges and trials complied with national law and international obligations. They rejected claims of arbitrary detention and political motivation, asserting that Karimova had full access to legal counsel and that court rulings were based on substantial evidence of serious financial crimes.
The government also recalled the creation of the Vision 2030 Fund, established jointly with Switzerland, to repurpose assets recovered from Karimova’s illicit dealings toward development goals under UN supervision.
Karimova is currently serving a 13-year sentence for crimes including embezzlement, extortion, and money laundering.
