Bekhzod Akhmedov
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
Bekhzod Akhmedov | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 14, 1974 (age 50) |
| Nationality | Uzbek |
| Occupation | businessman |
Bekhzod Bakhodirovich Akhmedov (Russian: Бехзод Баходирович Ахмедов; born 14 February 1974) was the chief executive officer of Uzdunrobita, the Uzbek branch of the Russian telecommunication company MTS until 2012. Immediately after the scandalous suspension of the operating license of Uzdunrobita (MTS-Uzbekistan) Akhmedov escaped from Uzbekistan and since then has been wanted by INTERPOL.
Akhmedov is a graduate from the National University of Uzbekistan in economics.
CEO of Uzdunrobita — MTS's Uzbek subsidiary
In the aftermath of the financial and logistics management investigation of MTS-Uzbekistan in 2012, the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan launched a criminal case against Uzdunrobita for tax evasion and avoiding other obligatory payments on a large scale, employment activities without license, legalization of proceeds from criminal activity and other crimes.[1] It was ascertained that for the 2008-2012 period when the company was led by Akhmedov, it owes the government up to 418.266 billion UZS.[2]
Akhmedov illegally rendered goods, works and services for 306.683 billion soums (around $161 million) through regional branches.[3] Through illegal mechanisms, Akhmedov managed to avoid taxes for 34.628 billion UZS (around $18 mln)[4] Akhmedov received bonuses not only in cash, but in 2012 was also presented with a villa in the elite cottage village "Gorki-8" near the Rublevo-Uspensk highway in Moscow.[5][6] On June 27, 2012, the Prosecutor General's Office stated on their website that investigation had found that officials of the MTS-Uzbekistan avoided taxes and violated other laws. Based on this investigation, Akhmedov was charged in his absence.[7]
On June 13, (in other sources 19)[8] MTS President Andrey Dubovskov in his letter to the prosecutor stated that MTS was drawn in to doubtful and illegal schemes of cashing money and tax evasion, and accused Akhmedov and other managers of MTS-Uzbekistan of dishonest management[9][8] Also in the letter it was stated that MTS's headquarters was concerned that Akhmedov does not come to work and is hiding instead of explaining conditions and eliminating violations.[10][11]
Therefore, the president of the MTS requested the Prosecutor General's Office of Uzbekistan to cooperate and use available international mechanisms to find Bekhzod Akhmedov[12][13] Afterwards, Akhmedov became a wanted by INTERPOL.[14][15][16][17]
On June 28, the Prosecutor General's Office stated that Akhmedov had escaped from Tashkent to Yerevan, where he met with the vice-president of the MTS Raspopov and they left for Moscow; therefore MTS's willingness to cooperate in the investigation is under concern.[10] On the same day MTS published their press release which completely differed from the primary position of the company. The press release accused Uzbekistan officials of making unfounded charges.[8]
Later, it became known that Akhmedov actually escaped Uzbekistan on June 6, 2012, when he left for Kazakhstan. From there on June 9 on flight KC911 he flew to Istanbul and then to Paris. Afterwards, on flight 2560 he flew to Yerevan and then on June 19 he left for Moscow, where he stays until now.[17]
Scandal around ТeliaSonera
When the scandal erupted around the entry of the Swedish mobile operator TeliaSonera regarding their work in Uzbekistan, Akhmedov was mentioned as a partner. Akhmedov was presented as an agent of the eldest daughter of the President of Uzbekistan. It later emerged that he was not her agent and used her name to achieve his personal goals, according to the Swiss economic journal Bilan.ch[18]
References
- ^ "Генеральной Прокуратурой Возбуждено Уголовное Дело в Отношении Должностных Лиц Телекоммуникационной компании «Уздунробита» — 27.06.2012". Archived from the original on 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
- ^ Генеральной прокуратурой республики Узбекистан продолжается следствие по уголовному делу в отношении должностных лиц ИН ООО «Уздунробита»— 1 Августа 2012
- ^ "Гендиректора "дочки" МТС в Узбекистане обвинили в создании преступной группы". РБК.
- ^ "Новые претензии к "МТС-Узбекистан": Генпрокуратура обвиняет в отсутствии лицензий у региональных филиалов компании". Фергана - международное агентство новостей.
- ^ (UzDaily.com), Uzbekistan Daily. "Prosecutors: MTS rewarded managers for participation in illegal schemes". UzDaily.com.
- ^ Online, Asia Time. "Asia Times Online :: Uzbekistan silences mobile operator MTS". www.atimes.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-24.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Генеральной прокуратурой возбуждено уголовное дело в отношении должностных лиц телекоммуникационной компании «Уздунробита» — 27. Июня.2012". Archived from the original on 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
- ^ a b c "Узбекистан обвинил МТС в укрывательстве подозреваемого".
- ^ "Коррумпированный директор МТС подался в бега". Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
- ^ a b "Продолжается следствие по уголовному делу в отношении должностных лиц ИН ООО «Уздунробита» — 28 Июня 2012". Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
- ^ (UzDaily.com), Uzbekistan Daily. "Prosecutors reveal new violations in activities of MTS Uzbekistan". UzDaily.com.
- ^ "Uzbek Officials Respond to Money-Laundering Charges". reportingproject.net.
- ^ "Президент МТС обвинил главу МТС-Узбекистан в хищении имущества". abonent.pro.
- ^ "- INTERPOL". www.interpol.int.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Uzbek Diplomats Break Silence On Swiss Money-Laundering Case". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty.
- ^ INTERPOL wanted information — 2012 Archived May 15, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Узбекистан ответил на вопросы швейцарских журналистов". 15 October 2012.
- ^ "Gulnara Karimova: "Des adversaries ont associé mon nom à Cette affaire"".
