US Lobbyists used in plot to destabilise US relations with Uzbekistan and steal Central Asia’s largest cement holding

Ulugbek Shadmanov exposed plot by Uzbeki opposition supporters to destabilise Uzbekistan

US Lobbyists used in plot to destabilise US relations with Uzbekistan and steal Central Asia’s largest cement holding.

United Cement Group’s CEO, Ulugbek Shadmanov, exposed a plot by Uzbeki opposition supporters to destabilise Uzbekistan, its leadership and relations with the United States government, through Texas based lobbyist Stephen Payne, his company Linden Energy, and his connection to Congressman Wesley Hunt which lead to his own false statements on the House floor.

Documents obtained by Due Process International show Uzbek/Canadian citizen Uktam Aripov, the CEO of Euroluxe Trading Corp and close partner of Payne, as the main driver of the operation.

Aripov’s key business partner is Russian citizen and Oligarch, Ovik Mkrtchyan, the head of GOR Investments for which former US Energy Secretary, Rick Perry and Mike Pompeo are members of the advisory board. Mkrtchyan was detained in Uzbekistan in January 2024 on corruption related charges, reportedly having transferred more than a billion dollars to offshore accounts.

Payne is a registered lobbyist for Aripov whose allies, Pompeo and Perry, sit on the board of his client’s business partner’s (Oligarch Ovik Mkrtchyan) company who was arrested over corruption allegations. He has been accused of embezzling the company’s wealth after appropriating Asia Alliance Bank from Gulnara Karimova, the former President’s daughter, and establishing dozens of offshore companies.

Uzbekistan’s New President

President Mirziyoyev was elected in 2016 with a view to make major reforms to policies that had isolated Uzbekistan and held back international diplomacy and economic growth. A crackdown on corruption ensued with a purge of staff across all sectors and promises to clamp down on human rights abuses within the justice system.

But his appointment and new policies were conflicting to those who sought to loot Uzbekistan, continue their corrupt practices or support the political opposition. Aripov’s key network includes exiled opposition leader, Muhammad Salih and the former President’s daughter, Gulnara Karimova, who was jailed under her father’s administration for corruption.

Ulugbek Shadmanov explains his acquisition and depoliticisation of United Cement Group

Ulugbek Shadmanov acquired United Cement Group when it was in debt, owing substantial amounts to banks. Shadmanov’s agenda was to discharge the debts and make the company independent of political and lobbyist influence, but this was unacceptable to vested interest powers like Uktam Aripov. “When Shadmanov declined to engage with Aripov on a project he thought was doomed to fail, Aripov seemed to set his sights higher”, explains Radha Stirling, Interpol & Extradition Expert, Crisis Manager and CEO of Due Process International.

“The ideal method to acquire an asset or in this case, the largest cement holding in Central Asia, is through the employment of a smear campaign followed by pressure to lock up the target”.

Stirling has seen the playbook “time and time again. It’s a strategy invoked by those with power or access to it. I’ve often warned investors in the region that the bigger they are or get, the more of a target they make themselves. When there is substantial enterprise involved, the chances of being falsely accused of some made up crime or action increase tenfold.” The extradition expert continued, “Interpol and the extradition process will be weaponized against high value targets as we’ve seen in this case. Shadmanov, who was a UAE Golden Visa holder and long term resident of Dubai, was illegally extradited without any legal process at all”.

Aripov and his US lobbyists

Aripov focused his attention on United Cement Group and solidifying his hold on power as the new President assumed office.

Aripov, with the help of his US business partners and lobbyist connections, enlisted Congressman Wesley Hunt tried to push for an OFAC investigating into UCG, branding the company a “bad actor” and accusing it of benefiting Russia. Of course, Aripov’s business partner, Payne, was closely connected to Hunt and a donor.

It should be stated that Shadmanov fully cooperated with authorities and no sanctions violations were found. The former US Ambassador to Uzbekistan wrote to President Mirziyoyev, noting that the allegations were part of a “smear campaign”. He attached an evidenced report, detailing the ongoing campaign against Shadmanov and UCG and offered to meet the Uzbek Ambassador.

Plan B

Having failed to activate an OFAC investigation, the play continued. In what has been described as a “Game of Thrones” style power and money grab, Shadmanov’s new opposition continued with the false allegations and smear campaigns, desperately trying to enlist security forces and weaponize the justice system. “Shadmanov was undoubtedly concerned that he was the target of not only Aripov, but his powerful US lobby. Having already fought off one serious and false allegation, he surely knew more were coming”, says Stirling.

Dubai’s unlawful extradition

During a meeting with top US attorney Marc Agnifilo (lawyer for P Diddy), Shadmanov’s villa was stormed by more than a dozen armed and masked Emirati special forces agents. All occupants were thrown to the ground, cuffed and taken away. Agnifilo was told to be quiet and leave the country while Shadmanov was taken to a secret location. He was not able to access his local lawyers but authorities advised that extradition is imminent and they won’t get a chance to oppose it in court. There during the ordeal, was insider “Mr X” who described the event to Kevin Trudeau this week.

Stirling, founded NGO Detained in Dubai in 2008, has helped in more than 23,000 cases of injustice in the UAE. “Dubai has portrayed to European allies and South Africa that it has a rule of law and that all extradition requests must go through the courts”, explains Stirling. “This policy has caused significant frustration for countries seeking extraditions, especially over the alleged Kinihan gang members and the Gupta Brothers. The UAE has sought to use these wanted persons as leverage in diplomatic deals and treaties to be negotiated as though they were hostages.

“The UAE often declines extraditions and has been accused of affording protection to fugitives. The rulers of Emirates have absolute control over the judiciary. If they don’t want someone extradited but want it to appear as an independent decision, they will let it go through the courts but let the judge know the desired outcome.

“It is a disgrace that Shadmanov was extradited last week without any charges, without access to due process or even a hearing. Mr Agnifilo asserts that the request is politically motivated and has expressed concerns over human rights violations. After reviewing extensive documentation, I believe Shadmanov being targeted is both political and economical and that the President of Uzbekistan is possibly unaware of the extent to which this group will go to undermine the stability of the country."

Corruption in Uzbekistan

“Influential but corrupt people within Uzbekistan, who are close to the political opposition in the country, with links to Russian organized crime and a history of appropriating businesses are targeting an investor for his business and assets. We hope that an investigation will lead to the release of Mr Shadmanov and that those involved with seeking to undermine the Presidency and growth of Uzbekistan will be diminished.

“While Uzbekistan is rebuilding diplomatic and economic ties with the West, there is obviously, significant opposition by those who would prefer the country to be directed more towards expanding relations with Russia, China and BRICS which Uzbekistan just joined this month. With Shadmanov controlling more than 50% of Uzbekistan’s cement and pledging its use to help rebuild Ukraine, one can imagine foreign interests wanting control of that decision”.

US Interests

“When we have people like Stephen Payne, Mike Pompeo, Rick Perry and Congressman Wesley Hunt linked to oligarchs who are trying to steal control and assets by any means and to the extent they were willing to throw millions at Americans, you end up with individuals misusing their diplomatic powers for their own financial benefit, even if that undermines United States interests with Uzbekistan as a whole.

“Given these Americans and their ties to both Uzbekistan and the UAE, it is unsurprising that Shadmanov was extradited without legal process, but this makes both the UAE and Uzbekistan appear highly unstable and corrupt.

“Given the money behind this smear campaign that if successful, would lead to the acquisition of significant holdings, media outlets may be used to place lobby material should be cautious they are not manipulated”.

Shadmanov’s fate

Shadmanov has been accused of crossing the Uzbekistan border illegally and no other crime. There will be immense pressure to charge him with something so the cement holdings can be justifiably taken from him but if the President is to overcome the reputation of corruption, a third world legal system and human rights violations, it’s imperative Shadmanov is able to continue managing the business he legally acquired without political interference.

Stirling confirms they will be bringing his case before the United Nations, “given the people behind Shadmanov’s arrest and the motives, we find it necessary to apply to the United Nations for an investigation into the arbitrary detention of Mr Shadmanov and to ensure his safety and protection from forced confessions, human rights violations and torture”.

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Radha Stirling

CEO at Detained in Dubai & Due Process International

+44 7 309 114 195