Rashid Qodirov, the former prosecutor-general of Uzbekistan, was dismissed from his position in April 2015 amidst allegations involving his son, Alisher Qodirov. Alisher, who runs luxury retail stores and a healthcare supply firm, is accused of leveraging his father’s influence to eliminate business competition and secure lucrative state contracts.
Despite his dismissal, Qodirov was reassigned as a judge at Uzbekistan’s Constitutional Court just one month later. However, in February 2018, Qodirov was arrested on charges of corruption, and his trial began in January of the following year. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about potential torture and mistreatment of Qodirov and other defendants involved in the case.
In total, 12 co-defendants were convicted in connection with the corruption scandal, receiving sentences of up to 19 years in prison.
The Qodirov family is believed to have amassed significant wealth, with media estimates suggesting that they hold US$1.5 billion in assets. The family’s real estate holdings in Latvia have been documented by the country’s registrars.
During Qodirov’s tenure as prosecutor-general, a high-profile corruption scandal involving Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of late President Islam Karimov, emerged. Karimova was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but her sentence was later reduced to five years of house arrest.
Qodirov’s arrest and the ongoing corruption trial have drawn attention to the extensive influence and wealth of his family, casting a spotlight on Uzbekistan’s political landscape.