Intrigues around Farkhad Akhmedov's audio recording remain 

Baku/24.11.22/Turan: The Azerbaijani State Security Service (ASSS) commented on the case of Russian billionaire of Azerbaijani origin Farkhad Akhmedov on November 23. Akhmedov had distributed an audio recording of a conversation with Babek Samidli, deputy commander of the First Corps of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, criticizing the leadership of the Ministry of Defense.

The recording was made in November 2020, and Samidli was killed in a landmine explosion on 23 November.  

The tape denounces the army's top leadership, including Minister Zakir Hasanov and Chief of General Staff Najmeddin Sadykhov.

Samidli accuses them of corruption, and even sabotage to derail the Azerbaijani Armed Forces' offensive in the 44-day war of 2020.  

A number of media outlets, with reference to the ASSS, reported that an investigation is underway into the disclosed audio recording, a number of individuals have been questioned, and procedural actions taken. Among those questioned is Farkhad Akhmedov himself.

The investigation is questioning Akhmedov's intentions and "his legal responsibility" for making the audio recording public.

Since November 18, the pro-government media have reported sparingly on the case, making Akhmedov look like a Russian spy, and even reported that he has been arrested.

Akhmedov himself called the allegations a provocation, but admitted to participating in the investigation.

Note that the subject of corruption and traitors in the army is not new and has been a part of the building of the armed forces for many years. The most publicised is the "Terter case", the essence of which is the fabrication of false accusations, arrests, torture, killings of servicemen by the military and prosecutorial leadership, on charges of spying on the enemy during the April 2016 fighting. 

In fact, investigations by journalists revealed that the perpetrators of casualties in those battles were a number of high-ranking military officials who organised the 'Terror affair' to whitewash themselves. 

On President Aliyev's orders after the Second Karabakh War, the "Terter affair" was re-investigated and a number of the real culprits have already been brought to justice, while the innocent victims are being released from prison. The investigation is ongoing. 

Added to this can be the fact that Farkhad Akhmedov is not an ordinary person. He has repeatedly and publicly demonstrated his vision for the future of Azerbaijan, and his civic position, which distinguished him from other oligarchs.

He is acquainted with President Aliyev, and the audio recordings show it was intended for the country's leader. Akhmedov may not have been able to get the recording to the President, and was forced to make it public.

So far, Akhmedov's side has merely confirmed that the recording was made by him, but it is not clear whether he distributed it himself. This notwithstanding, it may be considered that the recording has achieved its purpose if the special services and the public are interested in it.

One can only hope around this case that no error in the search for traitors and spies that were involved in the "Tartar affair" will be repeated. -0-