A high-profile money laundering case involving the daughter of Uzbekistan’s former president opened Monday in Switzerland’s Federal Criminal Court, marking the beginning of proceedings in a case that spans two decades.
Gulnara Karimova, whose father Islam Karimov ruled Uzbekistan for 25 years until his death, faces charges of accepting bribes and operating a criminal network called “The Office.” Prosecutors allege this organization funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into Swiss bank accounts from 2005 through 2013.
Also facing charges is Geneva’s Lombard Odier private bank, along with a former bank employee, who are accused of helping hide the profits from Karimova’s alleged illegal activities.
Currently imprisoned in Uzbekistan, Karimova and Lombard Odier both maintain their innocence in the matter.
In a public statement, Lombard Odier revealed that the investigation started after the bank itself contacted Swiss authorities in 2012 with suspicions about the transactions.
The bank explained that the allegations against them focus on supposed organizational failures in their anti-money laundering procedures.
Court officials have not provided a timeline for how long the proceedings will take or when a decision might be reached.
However, Lombard Odier expects the court sessions to run through the end of May, with a final ruling anticipated in the months that follow.
