The trial of several former employees of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Communications and High Technologies accused of multi-million dollar corruption has begun again in Baku.
Eleven former officials of the Ministry of Communications and High Technologies were arrested in November 2015 for money-laundering and manipulation of the public procurement process for personal profit. Many members of the private sector are also on trial for their participation in the scheme.
The ministry’s chief of staff Vidadi Zeynalov is believed to have participated in the sale of government contracts for the construction of new telephone lines and the installation of other equipment to a private company, Baku Communications Repair & Construction LLC and Repair & Supply Service LLC, according to
Obiektyv TV
.
Zeynalov is accused of cooperating with Beytualla Huseynov, former director general of the Baku Telephone Communications Production Association, who would then pocket 35-45% of the total value of each project.
Between 2009 and 2015, their activities are believed to have cost the state approximately 163 million AZN (88 million euro),
Obiektyv TV
reports.
Bayram Valiyev, director of the company accused of receiving the tenders, is also on trial, alongside its chief accountant and director of communications.
The accused are being tried under Articles 179.3.2 (misappropriation, in a large amount), 308.2 (abuse of official powers), and 313 (service forgery) of the Criminal Code.
Proceedings began at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes on November 8, 2016, after judge Afgan Hajiyev ruled that prosecutors had presented enough evidence for the trial to go ahead.
However, hearings have recently been postponed due to issues with Valiyev’s health. Spinal problems led him to be removed from proceedings on March 15 on a stretcher. However, the judge has refused Valiev’s lawyer’s petition, asking for the trial to be put on hold while his client receives medical treatment.
A similar scam and corresponding trial were recently held in
neighboring Georgia
.
