Uzbekistani banker Kakhramonjon Olimov kidnapped in France

48-year-old financier from Uzbekistan Kakhramonjon Olimov, the sole shareholder of Anorbank, became a victim of kidnapping in central Paris.

As reported by TUT.AZ with reference to Gazeta, the influential businessman was seized on June 23 in an upscale district of the French capital. The kidnappers transported Olimov to the basement of a villa near Nice, where he was beaten and threatened with violence. The hostage was only released after a ransom was paid.

According to a doctor at the prestigious Parisian hospital Hôtel-Dieu, the victim has multiple bruises and injuries. Olimov himself complains of insomnia and constant anxiety. The businessman's personal secretary briefly commented on the situation: "It was unpleasant, but it's all behind us now."

It is known that the financier arrived in Paris to conduct negotiations with French partners and finalize a real estate acquisition deal.

Law enforcement agencies have opened a criminal case under the article "illegal deprivation of freedom by a group of persons." At the moment, one suspect has been detained.

A source from gazeta.uz in the banking system of Uzbekistan confirmed the fact of the kidnapping. The editorial office has sent official inquiries to Anorbank and the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kakhramonjon Olimov owns 99.38% of shares in the digital bank Anorbank (founded in 2020), "managing assets of over a billion dollars." Additionally, through a company registered in the Netherlands, he is participating in a project to build a combined cycle gas turbine power plant in the Surkhandarya region in southern Uzbekistan in partnership with EDF.

The entrepreneur's business empire also includes stakes in companies such as Milliy To`lov Tizimlari (Hamyon service), microfinance organization Clever Mikromoliya Tashkiloti, Distri For Country (activities of payment collection agencies and credit bureaus), Anor Assets (financial leasing), and Dynamic Energy (electricity production by thermal power plants). In 2023, it was reported that he was also a co-founder of bi1 company (a network of French supermarkets) in Uzbekistan.