Swiss Federal Criminal Court discontinues Gulnara Karimova money laundering trial
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Apr 28
Swiss Federal Criminal Court discontinues Gulnara Karimova money laundering trial
11 articles · Updated · Reuters · Apr 28
The trial was halted because Karimova, daughter of Uzbekistan's former president, could not leave Uzbekistan to attend, and the statute of limitations will soon expire.
Karimova, accused of taking bribes and running a criminal organisation, is serving a prison sentence in Uzbekistan until December 2028. Her lawyer says the dismissal amounts to an acquittal under Swiss law.
The court cited a lasting impediment to proceedings and noted her Uzbek conviction was unfairly obtained. Hundreds of millions of dollars were allegedly laundered through Swiss accounts between 2005 and 2013.
Does this case prove Switzerland is still a safe haven for illicit funds from foreign kleptocrats?
Is Switzerland's justice system unable to prosecute criminals who are already imprisoned in other countries?
What will happen to the hundreds of millions frozen in Swiss accounts after the trial's dismissal?
Did a legal loophole just hand an 'acquittal' to a dictator's daughter accused of massive corruption?
How can international corruption be prosecuted if trials are stopped by statutes of limitation?