[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Tofig Yagublu was brought in as a suspect in connection with a criminal case opened under articles 178.3.2 (fraud causing major damage), 320.1 (forgery of official documents) and 320.2 (use of knowingly forged documents) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. This was reported by lawyer Agyl Laij.
The criminal case has been opened based on the fact; there are no accused in the case yet, the lawyer clarified.
Investigative actions will continue from the morning of December 15, he added.
Refraining from commenting on the content of the criminal case, Laij said that “this is something similar to the so-called “trafficking in emigrants.” (Previously, the Azerbaijani prosecutor’s office investigated cases related to the issuance of false documents to obtain political emigrant status in Europe. In these cases, representatives of the Azerbaijani opposition were called in for investigation, but no one was brought to justice. The oppositionists denied their involvement in any illegal actions).
Yagublu rejected the allegations of the investigation and linked his criminal prosecution with his political activities.
“We are not disclosing details because certain individuals are involved in the case and the public will learn about them in the future. In the following days, procedural actions will continue, and we will also provide certain information about this on the condition of not disclosing the secrets of the investigation. But if government agencies disseminate information that violates the presumption of innocence of a person, then in this case we will be forced to refute it,” Laij said.
Let us note that according to Art. 178.3.2 Yagublu faces from 7 to 12 years of imprisonment, under Art. 320.1 and 320.2 up to two years in prison.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]