Aliyev Family Spotted Once Again, Now in the British Virgin Islands

An international association that specializes in investigative journalism, ICIJ (International Consortium of Investigative Journalists) published information about offshore companies, whose shareholders are presumably members of President Ilham Aliyev’s family.

According to the documents at the disposal of ICIJ, in 2003 Aliyev and his wife Mehriban registered the company Rosamund International Ltd in the British Virgin Islands. Aliyev, who was noted as a Director of the company at that time was a member of parliament in October 2003, the same year he was elected president. The document reads that the presidential couple, as it was reported, had legitimate legal status until May 2004. Lawyers, whose comments were quoted by ICIJ, stated that the Azerbaijani leader thus violated the law, which prohibits the head of state from engaging in private business activities.

In 2008, President Ilham Aliyev’s daughters, Arzu and Leila obtained the firms Arbor Investments, LaBelleza Holdings Limited and the Harvard Management Limited and had them registered in the British Virgin Islands. The first firm was registered to Arzu’s name, who at that time was 19 years-old. The two other firms listed the name of 23-year-old Leila. The deal was signed two months after Aliyev was re-elected president for a second term.

Azerbaijani businessperson Hassan Gozal was listed as the Director of all three companies. According ICIJ, Hassan Gozal’s brother Abdolbari owned a dozen “Intersun” companies. "Intersun” is headed by Abdolbari, and Hassan is the vice president. According to documents in the possession of journalists, this company received several large contracts from the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), where Aliyev held the position of vice president before his election as head of state. In addition, the structures belonging to the Gosal brothers won contracts for construction projects in Baku totaling $ 4.5 billion.

Previously, Aliyev family was noted to own companies registered in Panama. Those companies, also headed by Leyla Aliyeva, are connected to the mobile operator "Azerfon". Additionally, the ruling family owns a huge share of the banking sector, which is estimated at more than $ 7 billion. In addition, the family owns dozens of properties in Dubai, the Czech Republic, and other locations amounting more than $ 100 million.

These are the facts discovered to date. How many other treasures will be revealed?

* ICIJ - is a US-based project of the international association for The Center for Public Integrity, which publishes materials exposing corruption.--0--