Former Uzbek deputy PM overseeing telecoms reappointed
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 14 September 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Former Uzbek deputy PM overseeing telecoms reappointed, 14 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58189d97a.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 14, 2016
Uzbekistan's acting president, Shavkat Mirziyaev, has appointed Abdulla Aripov as deputy prime minister in charge of information and telecommunications, a similar position to one Aripov left four years ago.
Aripov left the post in August 2012 amid a corruption scandal involving allegations that licenses were illegally granted to Uzdunrobita, an Uzbek subsidiary of Russian telecom giant Mobile TeleSystems (MTS).
Uzdunrobita was controlled at the time by Gulnara Karimova, the elder daughter of late President Islam Karimov.
Aripov's departure from his post came as Uzdunrobita fell out of favor with the government, which revoked the company's license, accusing it of regulatory violations.
Karimova, once seen as a possible successor to her authoritarian father, was allegedly put under house arrest in 2014 amid widespread corruption allegations.
Aripov's new portfolio as a deputy prime minister also includes youth policies and culture.
The Uzbek government announced several other cabinet appointments on September 14, including new finance and education ministers.
Mirziyaev became interim president on September 8 following Karimov's death.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
