The identity of Miss Uzbekistan Rakhima Ganieva has come under scrutiny at the Miss World 2013 pageant as Uzbek officials shockingly announced that she was an imposter.
"Uzbekistan will be at the beauty pageant for the first time this year, with Ganieva flying the flag for her nation. Rahima, from Tashkent won the event held on the 20th of July," the pageant organisers had announced on their website.
Ganieva, 18, drew attention in her home country when it was announced that she is representing Uzbekistan in the beauty contest, which began on 8 September in Indonesia.
In a turn of events, Uzbek officials told the Telegraph that no beauty contest had taken place in the country to select Miss Uzbekistan.
Moreover, Ganieva's profile on the pageant's official website paints a confusing picture.
In an introductory video, Ganieva said she is a student at the University of International Diplomacy and Economy. But in a different write-up on the website, she claims to be a graduate from "Tashkent Professional College of Tourism and plans to enter the University, probably in the field of International Relations & Law."
According to reports, the University of International Diplomacy and Economy has no records of her ever being registered as a student.
Moreover, when the Radio Liberty Service contacted officials at the Uzbek Culture and Sports Ministry and Uzbekistan's National Committee on Women they declared the so-called beauty queen to be an imposter.
Check out the introductory video of Ganieva on the Miss World official website:
