Court trial on the case of "illegal financing of PFPA"

Baku / 29.01.19 / Turan: The Baku Serious Crimes Court, chaired by Eldar Ismailov, is continuing the process of the so-called "illegal financing" of the PFPA. Three activists appeared before the court: party member Presidium Agyl Maharramli, head of the Narimanov district department Babek Hasanov, youth committee activist Ruslan Nasirli, as well as businessman Saleh Rustamov and his nephew Vidadi Rustamli.

On May 26, 2018, the country's Prosecutor General"s Office announced their arrest on charges of "illegal financing" of the PFPA. The arrested were accused of illegal business, laundering criminally obtained money, etc. PPFA denied unlawful funding. All those arrested were recognized by human rights activists as political prisoners.

On January 29 at the trial began the testimony of witnesses. The representative of the US Embassy and Counselor of the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy Vladimir Timoshenko were present in the hall. Witness Tural Mehtikhanov said that starting from 2016, he transferred money from Russia to Baku. In 2016, he transferred to the accused Vidadi Rustamli $4000, and in 2017 - 4 thousand dollars and 175 thousand dollars. Rustamli said that 175 thousand dollars were directed to buy an apartment.

Responding to questions from the defense, Mehdikhanov admitted that at the beginning of the investigation he was brought in as an accused. Three other witnesses Elchin Askerbeyli, Javid Masinli and Javanshir Abushov reported that they were engaged in small business in Russia. They testified that several times they transferred money to the account in the Russian Sberbank in the amount of 1000-3000 rubles (20-60 manat) via a mobile phone. "It was the month of Ramadan, and I transferred three thousand rubles for the families of political prisoners from my salary," said Masinli.

Abushov informed that within five months he transferred 1,000 rubles a month (22 manat) monthly. After the meeting, the leader of the PPFA, Ali Kerimli, told reporters that the version of the investigation was falling apart.

"The investigation claims that the defendants laundered money, allegedly transferring money outside the banking system. Today, the witness admitted that in fact it was his job. He received an order from Russia, and he transferred money to the addressee in Baku. That is, for many years he illegally carried out money transfers, but he was attracted only as a witness. Now he is free, and those who received their hard-earned money are behind bars," Karimli said.

The trial will continue on January 20. - 06D--