Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan has asked the EU authorities to lift sanctions against billionaire Alisher Usmanov, FT reported. Sanctions prevent the billionaire from investing in the economy of Uzbekistan.

FT writes, citing sources, that Uzbekistan is lobbying the EU to lift sanctions against billionaire Alisher Usmanov and his sister Gulbahor Ismailova.

According to the interlocutors of the FT edition, Uzbek officials at meetings with their European counterparts express concern about the sanctions against Usmanov. Uzbekistan stresses that restrictions, including the freezing of a businessman’s assets, prevent him from investing in the country’s economy.

According to the newspaper, Uzbekistan is also ready to provide legal assistance to Alisher Usmanov in a possible trial against Brussels if the EU refuses to lift sanctions.