Arif Mammadov: Let Prosecutors Investigate Luxurious Life of Ministers

The former Azerbaijani diplomat Arif Mamedov rejected the charges against him by the General Prosecutor's Office, regarding misappropriation and other financial abuses while serving as head of the mission of the country in the Council of Europe in 2007-12. He responded to the charges by the Prosecutor's Office on his Facebook page.

According to him, the Azerbaijani authorities are well aware that he is in Europe and he is protected.

“These issues are also on the agenda of the EU institutions. Embassies of the EU countries in Baku constantly inform Brussels on the issue. The authorities are perfectly aware of the fact that here in Europe, I am fully protected. Their goal is not to frighten me, but to frighten you, and to prevent the march of white or even walking with white carnations, and a new movement, different from the earlier movements for democratic reforms. They understand that if they chase people dressed in white and having white carnations, the whole world will laugh at them in chorus again,” Mammadov said. Previously he had called supporters of democratization in Azerbaijan to take to the streets of Baku on August 15 in a white dress and with white carnations to protest the killing of the journalist Aliyev.

Mammadov stressed that the campaign launched against him led him to the creation of a political movement for democracy and reforms, although initially he was not going to create a party.

“According to your advice, white carnations will be a symbol of our movement. It so happens that red carnations became a symbol of sorrow of our people after January 20, 1990. White carnations will symbolize the cleansing of corruption, injustice and tyranny and will be a symbol of freedom and progress of our people,” said Mammadov.

He urged his supporters to take part in the development of the reform program Azerbaijan-2025.

Regarding the specific charges brought against Mammadov, he called them "false and having no basis.”

“My former colleagues were called to the Prosecutor's Office and blackmailed to write forgeries against me. These idiots write that I did not pay for electricity. I lived in the building of the Mission in Strasbourg. In addition, the residence of the Ambassador is first of all considered to be a workplace everywhere in the world. If I had 400,000 Euros, I would, unlike the “crystal clear authorities” have not flown with my family on vacation by RYANAIR aircraft for 30 Euros per ticket. Almost all the ministers of Azerbaijan and their families no longer fly on holiday by scheduled flights of airlines. Business class no longer satisfies them. They fly by private jets that cost tens of millions to their luxurious properties worldwide. Why does the Prosecutor's Office not deal with these issues? …I have never built monuments or parks for millions of Euros either, even though this "business" is considered the most "halal", and the Prosecutor's Office does not interfere in that,” Mammadov noted further.  -06D--