Summary: Hearing 14
- • Witness testimony
On 11 January, Baku Grave Crimes Court, chaired by Judge Afgan Haciyev, held a hearing on the criminal case against the former Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Communications and High Technologies Vidadi Zeynalov, and 10 other high ranking officials with affiliated organizations.
The proceedings continued with witness testimonies.
Witness Arzu Nacafova, who introduced herself as an employee of the ICT Ministry, said she had received an unofficial payment of 100-USD in an envelope on top of her regular salary.
Witness Shafiga Mammadova testified that she had performed a printing job at the Ministry. She noted that the former minister Ali Abbasov had hired her.
Witness Ilgar Balayev, who presented himself as the chief of Balakan post office, confirmed his statement from the preliminary investigation.
The next hearing on the case is scheduled for 13 January, 10.30 am.
Background: The following former senior officials of the ICT Ministry and its affiliate agencies are on the dock in a high-profile corruption case: former Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Communications and High Technologies Vidadi Zeynalov, Beytulla Huseynov, Anar Mustafayev, Emin Mammadov, Mammad Mammadov, Oktay Rustamov, Namazali Mammadov, Sahrab Humbatov, Jalil Jafarov, Bayram Valiyev, and Gambar Baybalayev are charged under Articles 179.3.1 (misappropriation or waste, committed as an organised group), 179.3.2 (misappropriation or waste, in a large amount). Some of the defendants are also charged with abuse of power and tax evasion.