Former Italian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Detained in Visa Probe

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Former Italian ambassador to Uzbekistan Piergabriele Papadia de Bottini has been detained in Rome in connection with an investigation into the alleged illegal issuance of Schengen visas to Russian citizens through the Italian embassy in Tashkent, according to La Repubblica.

The newspaper reports that the diplomat’s former employee, Tatyana Tarakanova, a Russian national with Italian citizenship residing in Bulgaria, is also under investigation. Rome prosecutors suspect the pair of facilitating illegal immigration and corruption.

According to La Repubblica, Papadia assumed his post at the Italian embassy in Tashkent on 2 December 2024. After his appointment, investigators allege he took control of the visa section and involved Tarakanova, with whom he had previously worked at the Italian consulate in Moscow.

The investigation claims the scheme involved issuing long-term tourist visas valid for one to three years to Russian applicants who did not meet Schengen entry requirements. Prosecutors say the cost of obtaining visas ranged from €4,000 to €16,000, compared to an official consular fee of €45 to €60.

Tourism companies including Happy Travel, Visa4you, and Park Lane are mentioned in the case. Authorities say at least 95 Russian citizens applied for visas through these intermediaries and later entered Italy without proper grounds.

Investigators cite multiple irregularities, including applicants living outside the consular district, missing signatures, mismatched documents, and the absence of in-person appointments at the consulate. Some applications reportedly arrived via Telegram and were marked as “off-list.”

The investigation began after an inspection by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on July 23, 2025, at the embassy in Tashkent, which uncovered procedural violations allegedly linked to the head of the mission.

La Repubblica reports that in 81 of 92 reviewed visa files, there were no records of applicants visiting the embassy. Some documents allegedly bore “OK” stamps and Papadia’s signature.

Prosecutors are also examining financial transfers to Tarakanova. According to the newspaper, Visa Concord Travel transferred €23,600 to her account in Bulgaria between January and June 2025, formally labeled as a loan with interest, which investigators consider potentially fictitious.

A key element of the case is a recorded conversation between Papadia and his deputy Marco Esposito during the inspection. According to La Repubblica, when asked whether actions were taken “for money,” the diplomat replied, “I needed it.” Investigators interpret the statement as an admission, though Papadia disputes this interpretation, saying he was under severe stress during the inspection.

Prosecutors also cite a potential flight risk, noting that the diplomat had reportedly inquired about obtaining a visa to travel to Russia.

Italian authorities and the Financial Police are currently reviewing around 400 visa files and examining Papadia’s assets, estimated at approximately €3 million. The former ambassador says the wealth came from inheritance.