Swiss Court Fines Lombard Odier Over Karimova Money Laundering

The court found that the Geneva-based institution neglected to implement necessary organizational measures between 2005 and 2013, enabling the movement of hundreds of millions of dollars through "The Office," a criminal network allegedly operated by Karimova. Lombard Odier disputed the verdict, confirming plans to appeal and asserting that its internal anti-money laundering controls were robust during the period in question.

Simultaneously, the court discontinued proceedings against Karimova herself. Currently imprisoned in Uzbekistan, she faces no realistic prospect of release or extradition before the statute of limitations on the charges expires. Karimova, daughter of the late Islam Karimov, continues to deny any involvement in the criminal activity surrounding the Swiss accounts.