Gulnara Karimova celebrates her 50th birthday behind prison bars

Gulnara Karimova, the eldest daughter of the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the “Fund Forum”, turned 50 years old today the 8th July, and she is still behind prison bars.

On the occasion of Gulnara’s birthday, her daughter Iman Karimova wrote a post on Instagram expressing that she has not been able to see her mother for a long time.

“The religion of Islam has always been respected in our family. Our grandfather was one of the few who opened the doors of mosques at the dawn of the independence of the country and Kaaba opened the doors for him.

So I am sure that one prayer, perfect together, will open the strongest locks and doors of the heart”, - says Iman, asking for prayers for her mother.
Continuing her statement, she points out that his mother has been in prison for eight years, without even taking her grandson in her arms, and that Gulnara Karimova has to celebrate her 50th birthday behind prison bars.

“Today my mother turned 50.  In prison for more than eight years, she could not see her family and loved ones: she did not see her children grow up, could not say goodbye to her father, and did not see the birth of her grandson.  In prison, she lost her health but despite this, we will never stop praying”, - Gulnara Karimova’s daughter says.

Gulnara Karimova was born on 8 July 1972.  In 1991, Gulnara married Mansur Maksudi, an ethnic Uzbek from Afghanistan.  A year after this marriage, they had a son, Islam, in 1993, and a daughter, Iman, in 1999.  In 2001, the relationship between Gulnara and Mansour broke up, and the couple divorced.

According to the latest information, Gulnara Karimova is being held in a correctional colony 21, located in the Zangiata district of the Tashkent region.  She was brought to the colony on 14.03.2019 and placed in the 2nd sector of the 7th Squad (General Regime).

On 18 March 2020, the Tashkent City Court for Criminal Cases concluded the criminal proceedings against Gulnara Karimova and members of the criminal group organized by her, and a verdict was announced.

At the closed trial, the evidence of defendants, witnesses, and victims was listened to, the evidence was examined and the arguments of the defendants' lawyers were discussed.

The court thoroughly and comprehensively examined the materials of the criminal case and found the defendant Gulnara Karimova guilty of organizing a criminal association, extortion, embezzlement and pilfering, legalization of proceeds generated by the crime, and other cases.

Gulnara Karimov was sentenced to 13 years and 4 months of imprisonment.  In accordance with the provisions of the criminal law, and taking into account the fact that the punishment is imposed for several crimes and the totality of penalties, it was decided to calculate the term of punishment from 21 August 2015.