His name is Alisher Usmanov. Today, you can hardly find anyone in Russia, UK and Uzbekistan, who would not know about this person. For the first, Alisher Usmanov is known as a billionaire businessman, who is never greedy, when it comes to save (Russian) national treasures (like Mstislav Rostropovich’s collection and intellectual right to Soviet-era cartoons). For the second, Usmanov is known as a co-owner of Arsenal football team that initially caused very serious debates among the population UK (and of whole world) about the future of the team. For the latter, Alisher Usmanov is known as an Uzbek person – Alisher aka (Uzb. - brother), who was born, lived, worked and unfairly detained in Uzbekistan.

We wrote about Alisher Usmanov couple of times in our blog before. First post was mainly about Usmanov vs. Murray issue, while the second post was discussing the possible results of Usmanov being a president of Uzbekistan. This post will be a discussion of Alisher Usmanov’s interview he gave to the Guardian.

The interview was conducted via email. The Guardian emailed Alisher Usmanov 37 different very intriguing questions. Usmanov answered to the question under the condition that his responses should be published unedited. The interview is quite long, therefore, I decided to put here those questions/answers that concern Uzbekistan. Not all of them, just the interesting ones.

What can you tell us about your relationship with President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan and his daughter, Gulnora Karimova?
There isn’t any relationship between me and President Karimov and any members of his family.

Is it at all possible that you may enter politics in Uzbekistan in the future?
I have no intention to participate in politics of Uzbekistan, nor do I have an intention to become a politician anywhere.

Can you disclose all the charges you faced in 1980, and tell us of which charges you were convicted?
All the charges I faced in 1980 proved to be trumped up. There was a rehabilitation order by the Uzbekistan Supreme Court admitting that the alleged crimes NEVER TOOK PLACE [respondent’s caps].
I really do not understand the necessity in discussing the false charges, disproved by the country’s Supreme Court. I would like to stress though that I was rehabilitated for the reason of no crime being committed, not because of my good conduct or lack of evidence. That’s why I won’t dwell on the issue once again, especially after having already explained it for the UK press. I see no sense in it. By the way, according to the local law, any references to my name in relation to the trumped up charges is considered an offence.

What is your response to the allegations made by Thomas Wise MEP in the European parliament on September 25?
I have never met this person, and I suspect he doesn’t know me very well either. I think he is either a victim of somebody’s deceptive misinformation or he believes all Russian businessmen are inherently criminals.

Mr Wise mentioned one Gafur Rakhimov. You are on record as saying that you have known Mr Rakhimov for many years. Is this correct? What can you tell us about your relationship with Mr Rakhimov, and what can you say about these allegations against him?
As I’ve explained previously, I only knew him since he was a neighbour of my parents. I have never had, nor do I have any business dealings with him.
It has been alleged that the Kremlin may favour you as a possible successor to President Karimov. What is your response to this?
These are sick fantasies of so-called Kremlinologists. I’ll never be the successor of President Karimov.
I really do not understand the necessity in discussing the false charges, disproved by the country’s Supreme Court. I would like to stress though that I was rehabilitated for the reason of no crime being committed, not because of my good conduct or lack of evidence. That’s why I won’t dwell on the issue once again, especially after having already explained it for the UK press. I see no sense in it. By the way, according to the local law, any references to my name in relation to the trumped up charges is considered an offence.

Is it correct that Ms Karimova also played a role in assisting Gazprom with its gas export deal?
I know nothing about this. I believe that all the deals by Gazprom are made in conformity with a common business practice, like in any public company. Did you work in conjunction with Ms Karimova in securing the deal?
The nature of my limited acquaintance with Ms Karimova has already been clarified. I have never had any business dealings with her. Sincerely, I do not understand what makes you believe any claims to the contrary, especially coming from a person who hasn’t presented nor does he have any evidence to support his position. I have no relationship, business or political alliances with Ms Karimova.

Do you, or have you, served as an officer in any of the Soviet, Russian or Uzbek intelligence agencies?
No.
Is there anything you would like to say about your close contacts with serving and former officers of the KGB and its successor organisations?
No.

Would you like to comment on any of the information above, or offer any further information about these matters?
It is sad that people choose to treat and propagate statements as facts when there is no truth or evidence to support any of them. If you have something or if there is something for me to answer then I will.
You must decide whether you are happy to spin someone else’s false statements as if they are the truth and whether you have done everything in your powers to actually check the veracity of the claims.

As you see, the questions are really tough and while reading the interview for a moment I imagined Alisher Usmanov sitting in a BBC HARDtalk show room and severely being attacked by Tim Sebastian with hard, sometimes embarrassing questions. Actually, that would be very interesting to watch!

Unlike in Europe, Alisher Usmanov’s authority is very high in Russia and Uzbekistan. In Russia, people admire him as a successful businessman and a person who really (unlike other oligarchs) cares about his country (Russia, of course). In Uzbekistan, most people consider his as a kind noble person, who reportedly made several big acts of charity in Uzbekistan.