Interpol National Central Bureau in Azerbaijan responded to the information inquiry of the Institute for Reporters` Freedom and Safety. Interpol National Central Bureau Deputy Chief Ismayil Akhundov responded to the inquiry that was addressed to Interpol National Central Bureau Chief Sahib Mirzeyev regarding proceedings into search for Georgian citizens Tahir Khubanov and Teymuraz Aliyev who are suspected in the murder of Monitor Journal Editor-in-chief Elmar Huseynov.
Sahib Mirzeyev gave the following answer in his interview:
“The place of these persons was determined as a result of operational actions that were implemented by the Head Criminal Investigative Office of Interpol Central Bureau and the Internal Affairs Ministry. They are citizens of Georgia and they are hiding in Georgia. According to the legislation of several countries, a citizen of any country who commits a crime is not allowed to be extradited to other countries. This can only be realized if there’s a legal understanding between the two countries. Despite this, Azerbaijani Law Enforcement Organs have been conducting intensive negotiations to arrest Tahir Khubanov and Teymuraz Aliyev, who are suspected in the murder of Elmar Huseynov. Although negotiations were conducted with Georgia Law Enforcement Organs, they have not been surrendered to Azerbaijan up to this day.”
A criminal case was opened regarding the murder of Elmar Huseynov, who was killed on 2 March, 2005, at evening hours in front of his apartment. However, the executors and people behind his murder have not been found to this day.