Head of  “Anorbank” kidnapped in France

On June 23, Kahramonjon Olimov, the 48-year-old head of Uzbekistan’s Anorbank, was kidnapped in France. The incident was reported by "Le Monde".

According to the publication, Olimov was abducted in Paris and held in a basement near the city of Nice. A ransom was demanded for his release, and after a portion of the payment was made, he was freed.

Following his release, Olimov sought medical assistance. He was hospitalized with multiple bruises and physical injuries.

It is reported that Olimov had traveled to Paris on June 23 for a business meeting. He also intended to purchase real estate through a notary, meet with members of the Uzbek diaspora, and stay at the Sofitel Arc-de-Triomphe hotel for nine nights.

After his meeting, Olimov was followed, captured on the streets of Paris, and secretly held in the basement of a villa near Nice, where he endured verbal abuse and physical violence.

Shortly afterward, one suspect was arrested and charged with "gang kidnapping." The search for the remaining suspects is ongoing.

QALAMPIR.UZ contacted Anorbank for comment. A bank official confirmed the incident, stating that Olimov had used his funds to pay the ransom and emphasized that no customer deposits were involved.

For reference, Kahramonjon Olimov is one of Uzbekistan’s leading financiers. Born in 1977, he graduated from the Andijan Institute of Engineering and Economics in 1999. In 2012, he earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Business School under the Academy of State and Social Construction under the President of Uzbekistan.

Olimov is regarded as a key figure in Uzbekistan's private banking sector. He is currently a major shareholder of Anorbank JSC and serves as a member of its Supervisory Board.