Mubariz Mansimov Arrested on Charges of Having Links with FETÖ

Istanbul / 17.03.20 / Turan: A well-known and prominent businessman in Turkey Mubariz Mansimov was arrested in Istanbul as part of an investigation into the activities of the FETÖ organization (Fetullah Gülen Terrorist Organization). According to the Sabah newspaper close to the Turkish authorities, the businessman is accused of close contacts with FETÖ top managers - Akın Ipek, Suat Yıldırım, and Suleyman Uysal.

The investigation also accused Mansimov of having links with the Russian imam of the organization, Ahmet Hamdi Vural.

From official reports, however, it follows that the claims against the businessman are declarative in nature. So, the detention and search in the office of Mansimov was carried out by employees of the Istanbul Office of the Prosecutor for Financial Crimes. However, instead of reports of financial theft or fraud, the investigation claims Mansimov’s “intensive telephone contacts” with the above persons.

As “convincing evidence,” Sabah reports that Mansimov is at the board of directors of the Atlantic International School, which was closed in Russia due to ties to FETÖ.

As another “evidence”, the investigation reports that Ahmet Vural often came to Mansimov’s office, and at that moment the interlocutors “turned on the device blocking any secret listening".

Further, it is reported about the “intensive” correspondence of the businessman and Mansimov’s joint travels with FETÖ leaders.

All these data gave rise to the Istanbul court to arrest Mansimov.

It’s not clear from the newspaper’s reports what charges were brought and under what article the businessman was arrested. His close circle stated that the charges were politically ordered.

* A citizen of Azerbaijan and Turkey Mubariz Mansimov (b. 1968) is the 7th businessman in Turkey for his capital estimated at $ 1.3 billion. The sole owner of the Palmali shipping campaign, which has 170 tankers, transports about 100 million tons of oil annually to dozens of countries.

Some time ago, Mansimov had a conflict with the state oil company of Azerbaijan, SOCAR, which he actively reported to the press. In addition, he criticized various aspects of the policy of the Azerbaijani authorities, which caused official irritation in official Baku.

After that, many of Mansimov’s assets in Azerbaijan were liquidated.

It is also noteworthy that on the eve of Mansimov’s detention, a telephone conversation took place between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey. -02B-