Afət Ziyadqızı
Millions of manats in public funds were allegedly misappropriated during the tenure of Gorkhmaz Huseynov, former head of Azersu, the predecessor of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing Qafqazinfo, that the Prosecutor General’s Office Anti-Corruption Directorate investigated alleged violations committed during that period.
A final charge has already been brought against one former official in connection with the alleged embezzlement.
The criminal case concerning Gorkhmaz Huseynov and others was separated into a distinct proceeding. Contracts at the time were signed by Ilgar Taghiyev, Etibar Mammadov and Seymur Seyidov. Criminal proceedings against them are ongoing.
In such cases, prosecutors give those involved an opportunity to compensate the state for its losses. If the damage is not repaid, the person is held criminally liable and the case is sent to court.
Huseynov served as chairman of the Azersu Open Joint-Stock Company from 2011 to 2021.
Recently, Sadai Aliyev, a former Azersu department head and division chief, was charged in the case, and the criminal proceedings against him were sent to court. Aliyev is accused of causing 3 million manats in damage in collusion with people named in the separate criminal case. The other individuals named above were questioned as witnesses in the case and may also testify as witnesses in court.
At a preliminary hearing in the case, Sadai Aliyev said he did not accept the charge, had been reinstated twice by court rulings, and that the latest ruling had not been enforced for 16 months. He said the current charge had been brought against him for that reason.
