Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The state bodies of Uzbekistan are actively working with the competent authorities of Switzerland, the United States, France, the Russian Federation and other countries to return the illegally withdrawn assets of Gulnara Karimova and her accomplices obtained as a result of criminal activity. This was reported by the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Justice.

As a result of the work of the authorized state bodies of Uzbekistan on the return to the country of the property of Gulnara Karimova, acquired by criminal means, US$10 million have recently been returned to Uzbekistan from France.

It should be noted that in May 2020, assets from France in the amount of US$10 million were also returned to Uzbekistan.

On 11 February 2022, Switzerland and Uzbekistan held a round of negotiations during which both delegations agreed in principle to establish a new United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund (Fund).

The fund will be used to return assets that were finally confiscated as part of the criminal proceedings against Gulnara Karimova. It will also serve as a mechanism for the restitution of any additional assets that may be permanently confiscated in the future as part of the still ongoing criminal proceedings in Switzerland.

Currently, about US$131 million are ready to be returned.

The governance mechanism of the Fund will be composed of representatives from Switzerland, Uzbekistan and the United Nations. Thus, Switzerland and Uzbekistan will be involved in the entire restitution process. The Fund will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal in Uzbekistan. It will allocate resources to projects in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Uzbekistan (UNSDCF). These projects will be implemented by the UN system organizations participating in the Fund in collaboration with various implementing partners. All projects will be monitored in accordance with the Fund’s monitoring and evaluation system based on the rules and regulations of the UN system. Civil society organizations will play an advisory role.

The fund will begin its activities after the signing of a legally binding Restitution Agreement between Switzerland and Uzbekistan. As soon as the Restitution Agreement is signed, more information about the Fund and its functioning will be provided.

In addition, the court of the city of Moscow recognized the sentences of the Uzbek courts against Gulnara Karimova and her accomplices, and measures are currently being taken to organize work with the Russian side to sell the confiscated property for the further return of the proceeds to the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The returned funds will be used in the social sphere to improve the welfare of the population.