Corrupt National Security Service agents bankrupted a successful business

One of the stories about how the Sharifhodzhaev brothers dealt with entrepreneurs

In late August we received a few reports of death of the former owner of a retail chain "Comfort-Elites" Najmiddin Abdujabbarov, born in 1977.

Not so long ago, they used to speak of him as a young successful entrepreneur and there was nothing to foretell the signs of trouble. The business was run by three of the Abdujabbarov brothers. They established a business of imports from the best manufacturers of furniture.

The JV «KOMFORT LTD» is a network of six outlets in various parts of Tashkent. This business has grown rapidly, but not primarily because of the shortage of furniture or the monopoly in the market. The business growth was ensured by protection of high-ranking officials close to the family of dictator Islam Karimov. Influential people in law enforcement agencies also helped. It was said that the Abdujabbarovs are almost always able to negotiate with the government officials. But it turned out that this is not true.

In 2011 Najmiddin Abdujabbarov was suddenly arrested, his shops were sealed, goods confiscated. A trial took place; Najmiddin, his older brother and a chief accountant by the name of Aziz (we could not find out his last name) were arrested. All were charged with violation of financial rules. It seems that they were sentenced for long terms. One of the brothers managed to escape by going abroad.

According to our sources, majority of persons convicted in this criminal case were subjected to torture and ill-treatment during the investigation. The investigation was conducted in violation of due process, including the procedures for appeal. The investigating authorities, Prosecutor's Office and the Court knew that Najmiddin Abdujabbarov suffered from a fatal disease. But he was sentenced to a long term imprisonment and sent to the prison colony of general regime UY 64/32 in the Pap district of Namangan region. It contains more than 3,500 prisoners. In this colony, he contracted tuberculosis. He was then sent to the Zarafshan regional prison for TB patients, and from there to Tashkent Prison (Tash-Turma). In 2013, he was released for health reasons.

Soon, Najmiddin Abdujabbarov found the strength to start the procedure of appeal. He tried to get his confiscated property back. Abdujabbarov was very surprised to find out that some of the documents transferred their business, and they were signed by him. When could Abdujabbarov have done it? He could not remember, say people close to him. As Abdujabbarov acknowledged, he remembers little of what happened to him in the detention centre of Uzbek National Security Service located in Krasnogvardeyskaya Street.

According to different sources, the officers are known for usage of psychotropic substances and torture. In the past persons linked to terrorism were kept at the detention centre of the National Security Services. But, since the Sharishkhodjaev brothers came here, many other entrepreneurs, including foreign investors, had to walk the corridors of the National Security Services.  

The Sharifhodzhaev brothers invented a property appropriation machine and ruined successful enterprises with foreign capital or private equity in Uzbek. According to the accounts of our applicants, they were forced under torture to assign their property. If they refused, their property was confiscated by a Court order, and then auctioned off to the instigators. The Sharifhodzhaev brothers participated in ruining of many large businesses. Now in Uzbekistan they control almost all of the big business, through officials or leaders of the criminal world, such as Nizam Jumayev whose popular nickname is "Executioner №1».

Our attempts to find out who owns "Comfort Elite" now did not return a definite answer. Most likely, the new owners are legally considered to be bona fide purchasers. The robbed entrepreneurs are unable to protect their own interests, as in the case of the owners of "Comfort Elite".  Najmiddin Abdujabbarov died, his brother is in the Zhaslyk prison, and it seems for many years. Another brother is on the run, and certainly more concerned with how to keep his family and the family of brothers.

That is what happens to those who are not able to reach an agreement with Hayot and Jawdat Sharifhodzhaevys. They become victims of repression organised by the brothers.

Hayot Sharifhodzhaev became widely known after his victorious march during the Andijan massacre. Soon his career quickly took off. On the day of celebration of the 16th anniversary of independence ofUzbekistan, Islam Karimov awarded him the Order of "Shon Sharaf» of IIdegree. His appointment to the post of the First Deputy Chairman of the National Security Service responsible for fighting economic crimes assured Hayot Sharifhodzhaev of his impunity more. He works hand in hand with his sibling Jawdat, who oversaw the Department for Fighting against Corruption and Organised Crime of the National Security Service of Uzbekistan. In 2009, in celebrationof the 18th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence Jawdat Sharifhodzhaev wasawarded the order of "Shon-Sharaf» of II degree.

For some time the brothers served Gulnara, the eldest daughter of dictator Islam Karimov. Sharifhodzhaevys’ victims include investors from Turkey, Russia, Uzbek citizens with property abroad, such as the Baltic States or Dubai (UAE). They ruined the people and hid them behind bars for many years.

Weaning of successful business has become typical in Uzbekistan. Greedy "law enforcement officers" turn the successful entrepreneurs into "criminals". It is a proven practice in the country, led by the corrupt. The fate of many of the victims is similar to Abdujabbarov’s fate. The owner of the market, "Bek Barraka" is subjected to the same practice, although he was a former employee of the Prosecutor's Office and enjoyed the support of the Karimov family, through one of his daughters. For the time being, he is managing to avoid arrest, but it is unlikely he will be able to keep his property.

The so-called helpers of Gulnara Karimova, Lola Karimova-Tillaevoy, and Tillaev are touring Europe and the United States. In the relevant embassies they are issued a visa as the household staff of the presidential family. All these persons are handpicked by the National Security Services. They are really trusted not only by the daughters, but also by their mother, Tatyana Karimova, a very powerful woman in Uzbekistan. All of their affiliates have several foreign passports. One of these people has a residence permit of the United States, he moved his family there. In the interests of the investigation we are withholding the personal data for now.

There is evidence that two months ago, the household personnel of the Karimovs family was warned that it was time to leave the country. This suggests that all the "revelations" of criminal groups headed by Rustam Madumarov and Gayane Avakian and the Sharifhodzhaev brothers was just destruction. And a reference made to "G. Karimova" in a press release of the Prosecutor General’s Office of Uzbekistan on 8 September 2014 was just an attempt to appease the disgruntled and critics of the regime.

The actively spreading rumours about the resignation the Sharifhodzhaevs brothers are not yet officially confirmed. Apparently, bargaining is still on-going. But no doubt torture of businessmen in the basement of the National Security Service does not stop. No one is reviewing the cases of entrepreneurs convicted by the Sharifhodzhaeves brothers. History of Gulnara Karimova is full of surprises and all the more mysterious, but it has a little effect on the position of the family. Islam Karimov remains in power.

It is clear that under the current regime the law enforcement system will remain completely opaque. And first of all, that is because its representatives, in their pursuit of their personal interests, cleverly conceal evidence of those crimes, and receive high government awards for doing so.

Nadejda Atayeva

Kyrgyzstan: An attack on a minor on ethnic basis

On 26 August 2014, at approximately 18.00 hours, near residential buildings of the Youth Housing

Association at the Karasu district of Osh city an ethnic Uzbek high school student Turginbay Mominov was attacked.

Turginbay MOMINOV, date of birth 04.10.2000, went to visit his grandfather living in Krasin Street of the Karasu district. He was attacked by six Kyrgyz looking young men.

They hit him all over his body. Mominov was brought to an emergency station in serious condition, where he was given first aid, but was refused admission to the hospital despite of obvious hematoma in vital organs.

Turginbay Mominov has been undergoing treatment in a private clinic for 15 days.

The parents of the victim contacted the authorities to register charges for bringing to justice those who caused significant damage to the health of the child.

Turginbay Mominov is still ill, on medication, it is recommended that he lives a relaxed lifestyle. But the police inspector was calling him almost every day. After another such call from the police, his mother perturbed by such a cruel attitude to her child, went to the police station instead of Turginbay. But the reaction of the district policeman was extremely rude and abrupt, he told her: "It is a pity that you are a woman, otherwise I would have showed you how we treat those who complain about the Kyrgyz!".

According to the observations of the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia, in southern Kyrgyzstan, the cases of attacks on the ethnic Uzbek residents of the city of Osh is getting more frequent. All the victims indicate that the participants of these attacks are young people of the Kyrgyz appearance. They are organised and focused. Law enforcement authorities in southern Kyrgyzstan are extremely reluctant to take up the investigation of such cases. There are many indications that they do not wish to record the facts of crimes motivated by ethnic hatred. At the same time, search for those who inform the international organisations and the media about the manifestations of xenophobia against ethnic Uzbeks has intensified.

Statement on the publications on the situation in southern Kyrgyzstan

In the last three months, the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia has received numerous criticisms that we are, allegedly, distributing false information on discrimination against ethnic Uzbeks in southern Kyrgyzstan. In addition, we are getting more and more threats, and not only anonymously.

But we intend to continue excursing our right to express our opinions freely and to defend our beliefs.

We are aware that the publication of material in defense of ethnic Uzbeks, many of whom are the applicants of our organisation, are met with great sensitivity in the south of Kyrgyzstan. Such a reaction cannot be a reason to stay silent on the face of threats from nationalists and unscrupulous officials.

We remain hopeful that the Kyrgyz Republic will cope with the consequences of ethnic conflict and engage in active dialogue with the victims of the ethnic conflict.

We remain open to all who may have questions for us. Please do not hesitate to write to us.

Faithfully yours,

Nadejda Atayeva, on behalf of the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia 

Kyrgyzstan: another attack on an ethnic Uzbek, and criminals evade the charges again

Azimjon Ibragimov

On 1 September 2014 at 05:30 in the Osh district of the city of Osh, near the "Hasiyat" mosque, Azimjon Ibragimov, an ethnic Uzbek born in 1951, was attacked.

He was going to the mosque for the morning prayer. Suddenly, he was approached by three young Kyrgyz looking guys who called him "You, Sart!". And then began to hit him with full force all over his body.

Currently, Azimjon Ibragimov is in the Trauma Ward of the Osh City Hospital being treated for two broken ribs, a concussion and numerous bruises. The incident has already been reported to the law enforcement agencies, but they are not in a hurry to carry out a thorough investigation.

* * *

Over the past three months, the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia (AHRCA) received information about 65 people injured in the city of Osh. All of them are ethnic Uzbeks. We were able to establish personal details of and damage caused to 62 of them:

          - deprivation of property (using bureaucratic mechanisms);

          - assault with intent to cause injury and even death;

          - threats aimed at compelling the victims to withdraw the application against persons who have committed wrongful acts. This also applies to victims of sexual violence during the ethnic conflict in June 2010;

          - kidnapping: on 4 September 2014 there was an attempt of kidnapping of a young woman, an ethnic Uzbeks, living in the village of Nariman.

Kabulzhon Osmonov

It causes a serious concern that the law enforcement officials are treating as hooliganism even cases that have become known to the publi. This allows dangerous criminals to evade charges and repeatedly commit unlawful acts associated with ethnic conflict.

Initiation of an investigation is often unreasonably delayed. The case of Kabulzhon Osmonov shows a typical situation in which the victims of discrimination on ethnic grounds find themselves when seeking protection by the legitimate methods.

He was attacked on 4 August 2014; he was given first aid on the same day, they also conducted forensic examination.

On 22 August 2014, the investigator by the name of Ulan (he refused give his last name) during a telephone conversation with the President of the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia, Nadejda Atayeva, confirmed that forensic examination of injuries inflicted on Kabulzhon Osmonov was conducted; he is waiting for its conclusions. Without a written conclusion, he cannot establish the severity of the harm caused to the health of the victim. He offered to contact him on this case after five days. All attempts to contact him again were unsuccessful.

On 28 August 2014, we published a press release “Kyrgyzstan: an attack on a basis of ethnicity”.

On 2 September 2014, it became clear that a criminal case was filed only after when this case was reported in the media.

On 28 August 2014, the victim Kabulzhon Osmonov and witnesses of the attack on him came under a heavy pressure from the investigators and prosecutors to force them to withdraw their statements for a criminal case.

The practice is as follows: representatives of law enforcement bodies and local authorities say that when victims of ethnic conflict (mainly ethnic Uzbeks) seek protection, they are supposedly trying to provoke a new wave of violence. The victim comes under a pressure to withdraw an application for a criminal case. If he refuses to withdraw his statement, often police officers threaten him with more harm coming from those whom he accuses of crime against himself and his family. They also often extort money from the victims or offer to leave Kyrgyzstan. In addition, the authorities are increasing the pressure on human rights defenders, journalists and lawyers who defend the interests of ethnic Uzbeks.

The Association for Human Rights in Central Asia (AHRCA) continues to monitor and inform the public of the situation in southern Kyrgyzstan.

The Association for Human Rights in Central Asia (AHRCA) urges all interested parties, organisations and the media to pay attention to recent cases of ethnic discrimination in the south of Kyrgyzstan: the cases of Kabulzhon Osmonov, Makhmudjan Nishanov and others. We have to do everything possible so that cases of all victims of ethnic conflict were considered fairly and objectively, and the perpetrators brought to justice.

In the next 7 days, information about all the cases recorded by AHRCA will be sent to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Almazbek Atambayev, a mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations, international human rights organisations.

To the memory of Ravshan Gapirov

On 1 September 2014 at the 59 th year of life Ravshan Gapirov died. He was a head of the Human

Ravshan Gapirov

Rights Centre "JUSTICE, TRUTH", based in the city of Osh (southern Kyrgyzstan). He was born in the town of Karasu of the Osh region.

Ravshan Gapirov was ill, in the last months of his life. His illness has grown rapidly in the background of deep stress that he experienced after the tragic events of June 2010 in the south of Kyrgyzstan. When confronted with the indifference and irresponsibility of officials, he could not hold back his emotions. But in all situations, he was eager to help anyone who needed and did not lose hope for justice.

Ravshan Gapirov is one of the first Kyrgyz human rights defenders in the south of Kyrgyzstan. His organisation was registered in 1998 and plays an active role on the most pressing issues related to human rights.

The funeral will take place in the village of Nariman of the Osh region at 13:30 on 2 September 2014.

We express our condolences to the family and friends of Ravshan Gapirov.

We cherish his fond memory!

Members of the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia

Gulnara Karimova

Initially, this video causes an emotional response to the position of Gulnara Karimova. After all, it is a tragedy when a daughter can not talk to her father. He fenced himself from her by numerous security guards. The way guards of the head of state look like on this video is a separate conversation.

Islam Karimov rules the country for a quarter of a century and it is his duty to ensure compliance with human rights and freedoms. But he did not realise that tyranny does not ensure the stability of government, it only kills the confidence of the people. Even the children of a modern dictator Islam Karimov were helpless when they were deprived of the golden cage.

Radio Ozodlik
http://www.ozodlik.org/content/transcript/26545228.html

When I see these frames of disheveled, unhappy Gulnara with skewed cap with bells on her head, involuntarily, I recall a video where she is surrounded by Gayane and other accomplices of her crimes. 

Not so long ago, she was wearing a gleaming crown of jewels instead of this sorry hat (!) Probably of the «Guli» brand name... Gulnara is suffering, but will she come to the right conclusions? It is unlikely, because she is driven by resentment, and seeks to restore the status quo in the ruling group.

Islam Karimov treats his daughter Gulnara cruelly now. But, does he not really love her? Perhaps, it is all more tricky than this. Yes, Karimov is guarding against his daughter, but, in practice, he continues patronizing her. How else can one explain the fact that she has not yet been held accountable for the crimes of which her accomplices Gayane Avakian, Rustam Madumarov and others, whose names are kept secret are accused. The authorities destroy evidence of her guilt and shift responsibility for the crimes to the executors of her whims. Gulnara is not even under a house arrest. She was sighted in the city. She travels by car, although it is not as pompous as before. The main thing is that she is free and not behind the bars. She is no longer allowed to squander the country's budget. She is not given a permission to travel abroad. But this is done in order to avoid her arrest: in several countries, there are criminal cases involving offenses for which Gulnara has a direct responsibility.

I have no doubt that all the crimes by Gulnara Karimova were committed with the full consent of dictator Islam Karimov. And now his goal is to return the funds stolen by his daughter back to Uzbekistan. The family of the First person is accustomed to impunity. Corruption in Uzbekistan has reached such proportions that it threatens the security of the country.

This is how the political system which Karimov created operates. But no matter how he fought against the public, the citizens of Uzbekistan still will not be silent. Especially now, when Karimov came to the unprecedented shame. Never in its history did Uzbekistan have as many political prisoners and political refugees, such low economic performance and a low reputation in the international arena.

Even the most brutal dictatorship is powerless before publicity and the influence of democratic states. Therefore, the discussion of each crime of the Karimov regime gives us a hope for deliverance from despotism and makes us freer.

Kyrgyzstan: an attack on a basis of ethnicity

Osh, ​​another attack motivated by ethnic hatred on an individual

Kabulzhan Osmonov

Kabulzhan Osmonov was born in the south of the Kyrgyz Soviet Socialist Republic in 1970, a citizen of Kyrgyzstan, an ethnic Uzbek. He resides in the Navoi Street and works as a caster at the Osh Pump Plant.

On August 4th, 2014 at 12:30 pm Kabulzhan Osmonov was returning from lunch break to work at the Osh Pump Plant on Absamatov Masaliev Prospect. At the gates of the company he was stopped by an unknown young man of Kyrgyz appearance who addressed him, saying, "Hey Sart, stop!". Osmonov stopped and immediately received a few strong blows from the stranger to his face and other body parts.

Kabulzhan Osmonov managed to escape into the factory and get away from the attacker, but was immediately caught up with a few more men of Kyrgyz appearance. Since Osmonov was punched in the face, he does not know exactly how many attackers were there. The Nationalists kicked him with all their force, delivering blows all over Osmonov’s body, until he lost consciousness.

After learning of the attack, the director of the Osh Pump Plant urgently organised a transport to take the victim Osmonov to an A&E unit. He was given first aid, but was refused admission.

Osmonov lies at home with severe headaches and numerous bruises. He does not have money for treatment. The company where he works, pays him for the job by the jobs completed, and does not pay for sick leave.

On August 5^th, 2014 Kabulzhan Osmonov wrote an explanatory statement at the office of the district inspector of the Osh City Police Department (located on Akbura Street).

Law enforcement agencies have not yet instigated a criminal case on the fact of Kabulzhan Osmonov sustaining injuries. Investigator relied on the absence of the forensic medical examination. This forensic conclusion is still not issued after three weeks, which delays the investigation of the crime. During a call, the investigator was willing to answer our questions. And said that it is easy to find the attackers, as they have a surveillance camera record of the hotel "Beijing" in front of the scene. But he is convinced that Kabulzhon Osmonov suffered a crime not motivated by ethnic hatred. The investigator said that many ethnic Uzbeks find it  almost easy to claim that the attacks on them were ethnically motivated.

According to recent reports available to the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia, the case of the attack on Kabulzhon Osmonov is not an isolated incident when the nationalists can avoid liability for crimes motivated by ethnic hatred.

On August 16^th, 2014 in the morning at a wholesale market on the west side, where they sell melons, an ethnic Uzbek was severely beaten. The victim refused to give a statement to the prosecutor in relation this attack, because he believes that it is useless. At the request of the victim, we do not disclose his name. Last year also, he was beaten on basis of ethnic hatred, and because of threats from his attackers he took the blame. The victim gave the inspector a bribe of 20 thousand soms, to get his statement back and the criminal case closed.

On August 17^th, 2014, about 20:00 hours, in the city of Osh a TV journalist of the "Intimak TV", Davran Nasibhanov, became the latest victim of ethnic hatred. He went out to buy some bread, and he was approached by 4 people of Kyrgyz appearance in the street near the "House Services", where there are retail shops. They blocked his way and demanded money from him. When Davran refused to pay them, they first insulted him verbally and then beat him up very severely. As a result, he suffered a broken rib, a concussion and numerous bruises. Davran Nasibhanov asked for help in Osh city hospital where he was treated and questioned on what had happened to him. When the hospital learned that he had been attacked on the grounds of ethnic hatred, they refused to admit him to the hospital. The official reason given was lack of available beds.

On the basis of the information available to us, the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia concludes that the attacks on ethnic Uzbeks often are not investigated, because they are recorded as "hooliganism." The attempts of the victims to bring the perpetrators to justice are turned against them and create even more stress in the society.