Bribery in the Customs Committee continues, several officials have been arrested

Baku/01.09.23/Turan: Arrests of officials for bribery continue in the customs system. According to a joint statement by the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan and the State Customs Committee, a criminal case has been opened against the former head of the Operational Investigation Department of the Main Customs Department for the Southern region.

"During the investigative and operational measures, it was established that Malik Aliyev, using his official position, created conditions for the illegal movement of medicines with a total value of 30 thousand manats through the Astara customs post (border with Iran). In addition, his deputy Mehdi Mehraliyev and customs inspector Zaman Abdurahmanov, having received a bribe of 10,400 manats, allowed the smuggling of entrepreneur Ramin Mammadzade for 60 thousand manats through customs.

Malik Aliyev, Mehdi Mehraliev and Zaman Abdurahmanov were charged under Articles 32.5, 206.1 (facilitating smuggling), 308.1 (abuse of official authority), 311.3.1 and 311.3.3 (taking a bribe by a group of persons on a large scale).

Ramin Mammadzade was charged under Article 206.1 (smuggling) and arrested by a court decision. The remaining persons were transferred to the supervision of the police.  

On August 16 and 29, employees of the Customs Committee of Azerbaijan were arrested on the same charges. Observers state that there is a need for serious reforms of the customs structure, increasing transparency and strengthening public control. --03D---