The grandson of Uzbek President Islam Karimov says his mother, Gulnara Karimova, and 16-year-old sister, Iman, are under "unofficial house arrest" in Tashkent.
In an interview with Russia's Ren-TV television channel, broadcast over the weekend, Islam Karimov Jr., 21, who is currently studying in London, said he had not been able to communicate with his mother or sister since late January or early February.
Karimov blamed unknown "powerful" individuals as being behind the "situation" being faced by his mother and sister, who he said were barred from leaving Tashkent.
Karimova, President Karimov's eldest daughter, has been tied to ongoing money-laundering investigations in Sweden and Switzerland.
In Uzbekistan, several of Karimova's media outlets have been taken off the air, while her Terra Group media-holding company is being investigated for bribe-taking.
In an interview with Russia's Ren-TV television channel, broadcast over the weekend, Islam Karimov Jr., 21, who is currently studying in London, said he had not been able to communicate with his mother or sister since late January or early February.
Karimov blamed unknown "powerful" individuals as being behind the "situation" being faced by his mother and sister, who he said were barred from leaving Tashkent.
Karimova, President Karimov's eldest daughter, has been tied to ongoing money-laundering investigations in Sweden and Switzerland.
In Uzbekistan, several of Karimova's media outlets have been taken off the air, while her Terra Group media-holding company is being investigated for bribe-taking.
