Preliminary investigation has been finished in the criminal case of former investigator Rufat Safarov, who resigned from his job by making a political statement, Rufat Safarov told the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS).
Rufat Safarov, a former investigator, resigned from the prosecution authorities on December 20th due to what he described as rampant lawlessness and human rights violations in the country, but he was discharged by the order of the Prosecutor General, Zakir Garalov. According to the order, Rufat Safarov has been dismissed from prosecution authorities for committing acts incompatible with the position of a prosecutor or investigator at prosecution authorities and grossly violating Article 34 of the Law of Azerbaijan Republic on Prosecutor’s Office and Articles 30 and 31 of the “Code of Ethical Conduct of Employees of Prosecutor’s Office of Azerbaijan Republic.”
Later, Rufat Safarov was charged under Article 311.3.2 (repeated bribe-taking) of the Criminal Code. He was ordered detained on January 15, 2016, but was released under house arrest on January 22. Rufat Safarov is the son of former Defense Ministry spokesman, ex-MP Eldar Sabiroglu.
Rufat Safarov said he had been notified of the completion of investigation at the Anti-Corruption Department under the Prosecutor General’s Office.
“At the Anti-Corruption Department under the Prosecutor General’s Office I was told that the decision on the completion of investigation will be declared on June 20. After familiarization with the criminal case, it will be forwarded to Baku Grave Crimes Court,” the former investigator said.