The former head of the Central Military Medical Commission of the Ministry of Defense, Rasim Hasanov, has been released from the courtroom following a verdict by the Baku Military Court. The court, presided over by Judge Anar Rzayev, reclassified the charges against Hasanov and imposed a fine, leading to his immediate release.
According to the Prosecutor General's Office, the prosecution intends to file an appeal against the verdict. The Operative Information Center-OMM reported that the Prosecutor General's Office stated that the initial investigation, conducted by the Anti-Corruption Directorate under the Prosecutor General, had charged Hasanov under several articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including bribery and official forgery. During the trial, the state prosecutor had initially requested a 10-year prison sentence.
However, the Baku Military Court ultimately reclassified the charges to fraud (Article 178.3.2), sentencing Hasanov to a fine of 15,000 manats. Taking into account the time he had already spent in detention, the final penalty was adjusted, and he was released from custody.
The investigation alleged that between 2021 and 2025, while serving as the head of the commission, Hasanov abused his official position. He was accused of repeatedly accepting bribes from military personnel seeking discharge or medical certification, as well as committing official forgery. These cases highlight the ongoing efforts by the Azerbaijani government to combat corruption within state institutions and ensure accountability among high-ranking officials.
