Former Italian envoy to Uzbekistan arrested in alleged visa corruption scheme

Italian authorities have arrested Italian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Piergabriele Papadia de Bottini as part of an investigation into an alleged large-scale corruption scheme involving the illegal issuance of Schengen visas to Russian citizens.

Prosecutors suspect the former diplomat of organising a network that processed long-term Italian visas through the Italian Embassy in Tashkent in exchange for thousands of euros, Uzbek media reports.

Investigators allege that Papadia worked together with his assistant, Tatyana Tarakanova, to facilitate the issuance of visas to applicants who allegedly failed to meet Schengen entry requirements. In some cases, applicants reportedly did not appear at the consulate in person.

Authorities say at least 95 visas are directly linked to the investigation, although prosecutors believe the total number of questionable cases could reach 400.

According to investigators, the cost of the illicit “services” ranged from €4,000 to €16,000 per visa, despite official processing fees amounting to only a few dozen euros.

Italian prosecutors also allege that Moscow-based travel agencies participated in the operation by supplying lists of clients seeking visas. Financial investigators are examining money transfers connected to the case, including €23,600 reportedly sent in 2025 to a Bulgarian bank account belonging to Tarakanova.

The investigation, conducted in cooperation with Italy’s financial police, is now reviewing hundreds of visa files and examining assets linked to Papadia estimated at around €3 million. The former ambassador has denied wrongdoing and reportedly claims that the funds under scrutiny came from an inheritance.

By Sabina Mammadli