Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Anorbank shareholder Kakhramonjon Olimov has denied allegations of kidnapping that prompted Uzbekistan to initiate an international search for him through Interpol, calling the accusations fabricated. The businessman says he was himself the victim of a kidnapping in Paris in June 2025 and alleges that he, his family and his business have faced pressure over the past 18 months. The claims were made in a statement published by French law firm Fedida Associes.
“Over the past eighteen months, my family and I have been subjected to a series of attacks that I consider criminal and unlawful. I am making this statement to refute misinformation and set out the true picture of events,” Olimov said.
According to Olimov, he was abducted in Paris on 24 June 2025. He alleges that he was held and tortured for two days before being forced to pay a ransom for his release. Earlier reports said that, according to the businessman, he was taken out of the city and held in the basement of a mansion near Nice.
Olimov said a French police investigation led to the arrest of five people, who remain in custody pending trial, while two others are under judicial supervision. French judicial authorities are preparing a criminal case against them.
“Given the severity of the crimes they committed, all applications for release on bail have been rejected,” he said.
“Since then, economic, legal and reputational attacks against me and my business have continued and intensified. The latest provocation was Uzbekistan’s absurd issuance of an Interpol Red Notice accusing me of kidnapping, even though I am the kidnapping victim,” the businessman said. He categorically denied all the allegations and said he was challenging them in court.
In September 2026, The Insider reported, citing a source close to Olimov’s circle, that the businessman had been arrested in absentia and placed on a wanted list in connection with a kidnapping case. According to the publication, he was charged under Part 2 of Article 137 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, which carries a prison sentence of five to 10 years. Uzbek law enforcement agencies have not officially confirmed this information.
On 24 September, a profile of Olimov featuring an Interpol Red Notice appeared on the organisation’s website. It listed his date and place of birth, citizenship and a case category related to kidnapping and unlawful deprivation of liberty. By 14 October, the profile had disappeared from Interpol’s public database. The organisation has not commented on the matter.
“I have full confidence in the judicial systems of France and Uzbekistan and firmly believe that those responsible will answer for their crimes. Unfortunately, their actions cast a shadow on the reputation of my beloved homeland, Uzbekistan, and contradict President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s vision of a modern and prosperous Uzbekistan where the rule of law is upheld and domestic and foreign investors are welcome,” the statement said.
Anorbank said the situation surrounding Olimov had no impact on the bank’s capital, management or day-to-day operations. The Central Bank of Uzbekistan also said the bank was operating normally and meeting its obligations to customers. According to the regulator, Anorbank’s assets totalled 21.4 trillion soums as of 1 September 2026.
On 2 October, Olimov submitted a request to resign from Anorbank’s supervisory board. Shareholders are expected to make a final decision at a meeting on 28 October.
Fedida Associes was founded in 1996 by Jean-Marc Fedida and specialises in criminal defence, including cases involving economic offences.
