Defense Petitions for Eldar Hasanov’s Release on Bail

Baku / 02.09.20 / Turan: The defense intends to put forward a petition for the release of the former ambassador and ex-Prosecutor General Eldar Hasanov on bail.

The Azerbaijani ambassador to Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Eldar Hasanov, was detained on August 13 in connection with a criminal case against officials of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry on abuse of authority, taking bribes and embezzling budget money. Hasanov was personally charged under Articles 308.2 (abuse of office, which entailed grave consequences) and 308-1.1 (misuse of state budget funds) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. Under these articles, Hasanov could face up to 7 years in prison.

Later, the case against the former ambassador was separated into a separate proceeding and transferred from the State Security Service to the General Prosecutor's Office, as requested by the defense of the accused.

“The state of health of Eldar Hasanov is difficult and a crisis is possible at any moment. He is charged with a less serious crime and the law allows for a change in the measure of restraint and release on bail.

Eldar Hasanov does not plead guilty and demands a full, comprehensive, objective investigation. Taking into account reaching the age of 65 and the risk of contracting a viral infection, the defense intends to ask to change the preventive measure in the form of arrest to release from custody on bail, ”lawyer Hasanov Adil Ismayilov wrote in his facebook account.

According to the lawyer, despite the transfer of the investigation from the State Security Service (SSS) to the General Prosecutor's Office, Hasanov chose to remain in the SSS jail. He has no complaints about the conditions of his detention and his treatment.

Earlier, the lawyer said that Hasanov rejects the charges, considers the arrest biased and unfounded and refuses to testify.

In 1995-2000 Hasanov served as the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan. -03B06-