Uzbekistan's Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva reveals rift in first family
They are the glamorous daughters of Uzbekistan's authoritarian President Islam Karimov, mixing with international celebrities and enjoying a jet-set lifestyle.
But now, in comments given exclusively to BBC Uzbek, the younger sister, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva has revealed an extraordinary rift at the heart of one of Central Asia's most prominent ruling families.
"My sister and I have not spoken to each other for 12 years," Ms Karimova-Tillyaeva says.
"There are no family or friendly relations between us."
Ms Karimova-Tillayeva's frank comments about the complete breakdown of her relationship with her sister, Gulnara, are a rare crack in the secrecy and media silence that usually surrounds Central Asia's all-powerful political dynasties.
They are also highly unusual in a culture where family bonds are hugely important.
We are completely different people - and these differences, as you know, only grow over the years
Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva
Their father, Islam Karimov, has ruled Uzbekistan with an iron fist for more than 20 years. He is accused of presiding over a country where no dissent is tolerated and where torture is rife in prisons.
While the ruling elite enjoys wealth and privilege, hundreds of thousands of ordinary Uzbeks work as migrant labourers abroad because they can't earn a living at home.
Mr Karimov's elder daughter Gulnara regularly makes headlines, having forged a public persona as a pop star, diplomat, fashion designer and philanthropist. She is also an influential businesswoman and tipped as a possible successor to her 75-year-old father.
Her younger sister, Lola, currently serves as Uzbekistan's ambassador to the UN cultural organisation, Unesco, and lives in Geneva.
Lola is notorious for having unsuccessfully sued a French online journal after being labelled a "dictator's daughter",
Despite the parallels in their lives and career paths, the two sisters apparently have little in common.
"Any good relationship requires a similarity of outlook or likeness of character," says Ms Karimova-Tillyaeva.
"There is nothing like that in our relationship, has never been and is not now. We are completely different people. And these differences, as you know, only grow over the years."
'We don't talk politics'
Ms Karimova-Tillyaeva answered a series of 18 questions put to her by BBC Uzbek via e-mail.
Gulnara Karimova, the first daughter of the Uzbek president
Distancing herself so openly from her sister may suit Ms Karimova-Tillyaeva at a time when Gulnara Karimova has been linked to a wide-ranging fraud probe in Europe.
Prosecutors in Sweden and Switzerland are investigating current and former associates of Gulnara Karimova on suspicion of bribery and money-laundering.
Some of Ms Karimova's properties in France and Switzerland have reportedly been searched.
Ms Karimova-Tillyaeva remains tight-lipped about the investigations and says she does not know whether her father is aware of what is going on.
"All the information about my sister, I get from the foreign media, including the BBC website," she says.
"Regarding your question whether the Uzbek president is aware, I don't have such information. I am only two to three times a year in Uzbekistan. During the meetings with my father, we don't discuss political issues."
President Islam Karimov has ruled Uzbekistan for over 20 years
Because of his age, there is continuous debate about President Karimov's eventual successor.
In the clan and family politics of Central Asia, presidential offspring are often considered contenders. But Ms Karimova-Tillyaeva says she is not interested and that her priority is her husband Timur Tillyaev and their three children.
"The question often seems relevant in respect of members of presidential families in the former Soviet Union," she says. "For now I cannot see myself developing as a politician."
Gulnara, by contrast, has been highly visible in Uzbekistan. Her "Fund Forum" foundation is active in many parts of public life, from promoting Uzbek arts and culture to health and social campaigns.
She has also hinted that a presidential bid may not be out of the question.
Ms Karimova-Tillyaeva dismisses her sister's chances outright.
"I would assess these odds as low," she says in a brief comment.
Even though Ms Karimova-Tillyaeva's remarks to BBC Uzbek have been widely reported in regional media, her sister has so far not responded and routinely refrains from responding to BBC requests for comment.
What she makes of her younger sister's extraordinary revelations is anyone's guess.
Competing charities
The Karimov daughters' seem to go head to head in almost all spheres of life.
Both run their own separate charity organisations.
The definition of 'dictator's daughter' in the press uniquely affected my personality
Lola Karimova-Tillyavea.
But now, in comments given exclusively to BBC Uzbek, the younger sister, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva has revealed an extraordinary rift at the heart of one of Central Asia's most prominent ruling families.
"My sister and I have not spoken to each other for 12 years," Ms Karimova-Tillyaeva says.
"There are no family or friendly relations between us."
Ms Karimova-Tillayeva's frank comments about the complete breakdown of her relationship with her sister, Gulnara, are a rare crack in the secrecy and media silence that usually surrounds Central Asia's all-powerful political dynasties.
They are also highly unusual in a culture where family bonds are hugely important.
We are completely different people - and these differences, as you know, only grow over the years
Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva
Their father, Islam Karimov, has ruled Uzbekistan with an iron fist for more than 20 years. He is accused of presiding over a country where no dissent is tolerated and where torture is rife in prisons.
While the ruling elite enjoys wealth and privilege, hundreds of thousands of ordinary Uzbeks work as migrant labourers abroad because they can't earn a living at home.
Mr Karimov's elder daughter Gulnara regularly makes headlines, having forged a public persona as a pop star, diplomat, fashion designer and philanthropist. She is also an influential businesswoman and tipped as a possible successor to her 75-year-old father.
Her younger sister, Lola, currently serves as Uzbekistan's ambassador to the UN cultural organisation, Unesco, and lives in Geneva.
Lola is notorious for having unsuccessfully sued a French online journal after being labelled a "dictator's daughter",
Despite the parallels in their lives and career paths, the two sisters apparently have little in common.
"Any good relationship requires a similarity of outlook or likeness of character," says Ms Karimova-Tillyaeva.
"There is nothing like that in our relationship, has never been and is not now. We are completely different people. And these differences, as you know, only grow over the years."
'We don't talk politics'
Ms Karimova-Tillyaeva answered a series of 18 questions put to her by BBC Uzbek via e-mail.
Gulnara Karimova, the first daughter of the Uzbek president
Distancing herself so openly from her sister may suit Ms Karimova-Tillyaeva at a time when Gulnara Karimova has been linked to a wide-ranging fraud probe in Europe.
Prosecutors in Sweden and Switzerland are investigating current and former associates of Gulnara Karimova on suspicion of bribery and money-laundering.
Some of Ms Karimova's properties in France and Switzerland have reportedly been searched.
Ms Karimova-Tillyaeva remains tight-lipped about the investigations and says she does not know whether her father is aware of what is going on.
"All the information about my sister, I get from the foreign media, including the BBC website," she says.
"Regarding your question whether the Uzbek president is aware, I don't have such information. I am only two to three times a year in Uzbekistan. During the meetings with my father, we don't discuss political issues."
President Islam Karimov has ruled Uzbekistan for over 20 years
Because of his age, there is continuous debate about President Karimov's eventual successor.
In the clan and family politics of Central Asia, presidential offspring are often considered contenders. But Ms Karimova-Tillyaeva says she is not interested and that her priority is her husband Timur Tillyaev and their three children.
"The question often seems relevant in respect of members of presidential families in the former Soviet Union," she says. "For now I cannot see myself developing as a politician."
Gulnara, by contrast, has been highly visible in Uzbekistan. Her "Fund Forum" foundation is active in many parts of public life, from promoting Uzbek arts and culture to health and social campaigns.
She has also hinted that a presidential bid may not be out of the question.
Ms Karimova-Tillyaeva dismisses her sister's chances outright.
"I would assess these odds as low," she says in a brief comment.
Even though Ms Karimova-Tillyaeva's remarks to BBC Uzbek have been widely reported in regional media, her sister has so far not responded and routinely refrains from responding to BBC requests for comment.
What she makes of her younger sister's extraordinary revelations is anyone's guess.
Competing charities
The Karimov daughters' seem to go head to head in almost all spheres of life.
Both run their own separate charity organisations.
The definition of 'dictator's daughter' in the press uniquely affected my personality
Lola Karimova-Tillyavea.
Comments