Uzbek President's Daughter Complains Of House Arrest

August 22, 2014

Uzbek President Islam Karimov's once-powerful daughter has complained in secret recordings about being kept with her daughter under house arrest in Uzbekistan.

Gulnara Karimova said in recordings obtained by the BBC that she and her daughter are being treated "worse than dogs."

Karimova, 42, was a wealthy businesswoman living mainly in Europe until a corruption scandal last year led to the closing down of her businesses, the arrest of many of her friends and associates, and her confinement in a Tashkent house.

Karimova said neither she nor her daughter, who is 16, are allowed out of the house in which they are being kept and have no contact to the outside world.

Karimova was very active on social media until February.

Some analysts say she is in her current situation because she lost the battle to succeed her father as Uzbek president. 

Based on reporting by the BBC