Switzerland to return Uzbekistan's assets frozen in money laundering probe

FILE PHOTO: A view shows a villa that once belonged to Gulnara Karimova, a jailed daughter of late President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, in Sijjak, Uzbekistan April 16, 2021. The government of Uzbekistan is auctioning off the luxury villa on the condition that it is turned into a hotel. REUTERS/Mukhammadsharif Mamatkulov/File Photo

GENEVA (Reuters) - Switzerland agreed on Tuesday to send back to Uzbekistan over $100 million which it seized during a long-running investigation in connection with the daughter of former president Islam Karimov.

The ongoing criminal proceedings against Gulnara Karimova in Switzerland which have involved suspected money laundering via telecommunications contracts have so far resulted in the seizure of $131 million. The Swiss foreign ministry said more funds might become available from assets that may be confiscated in future.