Gulnara Karimova: Princess of Uzbekistan faces prison privileges backlash
3:21 PM EDT, July 18, 2024
Gulnara Karimova is serving a long-term prison sentence. Years ago, she was the wealthiest and most influential woman in Uzbekistan. The connections and influence of the Uzbek "princess" are still believed to be in effect. Other inmates report that the 52-year-old is receiving special treatment in prison. "She enjoys special treatment and privileges not available to other inmates," Radio Liberty's website reported.
She graduated from Harvard, knows four languages, has practiced martial arts, and was a fashion designer and singer. The 52-year-old Gulnara Karimova still stirs excellent interest—especially in Uzbekistan. Currently, the woman is serving a long-term sentence in one of the local prisons.
The Uzbek "princess" is said to enjoy privileges unavailable to other female prisoners. Former cellmates, who have already been released, are eager to talk about Karimova. They report that she wears shoes with laces, which are prohibited in the prison. She also has a specially made air-permeable outfit. The rest of the inmates wear heavy, non-breathable jumpsuits.
- "She has four beds that she has separated with sheets from the others in the cell [so she has privacy]... She does not eat with others in the prison canteen but rather has food delivered to her from outside of the prison... She gets her food delivered…when there is nobody around;It’s not an ordinary parcel of some 10 kilos (22 lbs), it’s much bigger," reported Radio Liberty's website.
The dictator's daughter is serving a sentence in prison
Karimova was under house arrest since 2014. The death of her father in 2016 meant a lack of protection and even more troubles. These came swiftly and resulted in changing her place of punishment—from a beautiful estate to prison walls.
In 2017, the beautiful Gulnara was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The woman was found guilty of tax evasion, theft, extortion, and document destruction.
In March 2020, a court sentenced Karimova to 13 years and 4 months in prison. This time, she was found guilty of conspiracy, extortion, embezzlement, robbery, money laundering, and other crimes.
Before her arrest, Karimova was considered one of the most influential people in Uzbekistan. She had ambitions to succeed her father and rule the entire country.
