Mystery still surrounds the fate of Uzbek dictator Islam Karimov since his brain haemorrhage on August 27, but in remarks posted on her Facebook and Instagram accounts on August 31 his youngest daughter Lola appeared to suggest Karimov was still alive.

Despite media reports that the 78-year-old had died in hospital, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva thanked people for their messages of support, which she claimed would help her father in his recovery.

“I would also like to use this opportunity and to thank all of you with all from the bottom of my heart for your kind, sincere and encouraging words of support and wishes for our president’s speedy recovery! This means a lot to us, and I’m sure that this great positive energy coming from the depth of your hearts will help him recover!” her message read, according to Russia’s TASS news agency.

It was in fact Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva who confirmed on social media reports that Karimov had suffered a brain haemorrhage and was hospitalised in an intensive care unit in stable condition.

The seriousness of the president’s condition is not in doubt, given that the country is in the midst of its independence day celebrations that culminate on September 1 and he has yet to make any appearance or offered any message to the people.

However, commentators say that the lack of any confirmation of his death could be down to the leadership scrambling to find a successor to the president, who has ruled Uzbekistan with an iron fist since 1991 and had not made any succession plans. bne looked into the potential successors in a previous article.

Karimov’s renowned brutality during his 25-year rule has inevitably led to jokes being circulated on social media about his condition, including: “Karimov is dead, but the doctors are too scared to tell him”.