Uzbekistan’s first daughter continues her fall from grace

The ever scandalous Gulnara Karimova, daughter of Uzbekistan’s president, has found herself in hot water again.

The one time pop singer and fashion designer has continually been embroiled in scandal, with her political ambitions frequently overshadowed by her bad girl behavior, resulting in her spectacular fall from power over the past year.

Swiss prosecutors said on Wednesday that Uzbekistan’s first daughter, once considered in line for the presidency, is being investigated on suspicion of money laundering since late last year, The National reported Wednesday.

“The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland is investigating Gulnara Karimova ... on suspicion of money laundering,” the office said in a statement, adding that a probe of four people in her entourage had been broadened to include her personally last autumn.

The 41-year-old had been protected under diplomatic immunity last July under her position as Uzbekistan’s ambassadorship to the United Nations. After being removed from her position, the controversial figure is now vulnerable to investigation.

She reportedly left Switzerland shortly after her U.N. dismissal and her name was added to the continuing probe on September 16, 2013, the statement said.

The results of the Swiss investigation had led to new corruption probes against her abroad, including in France and Sweden, it added.

Swiss authorities first launched a criminal money laundering probe against four Uzbek nationals with close ties to Karimova in July 2012, the statement said, adding that the suspected illegal activities were linked to the Uzbek telecommunications market.

Police had searched Ms. Karimova’s Geneva home at the end of August last year in search of evidence in the case.

In connection with the probe, Swiss authorities had blocked more than 800 million Swiss francs worth of suspected Uzbek national artifacts in Switzerland, and were attempting to identify their origin, it said.

Ms. Karimova’s media empire, which included several television channels, has been shut down over allegations of tax evasion and other charges.