State Security Service (SGB) Confirms Arrest of Assistant Military Attaché of Azerbaijan in the U.S.
State Security Service (SGB) Confirms Arrest of Assistant Military Attaché of Azerbaijan in the U.S.
On Friday, the State Security Service (SGB) issued an official statement confirming the arrest of Gahraman Mammadov, the assistant military attaché of Azerbaijan in the U.S., who was previously detained in Istanbul with 70 kg of gold. Mammadov is accused of smuggling in conspiracy with another Azerbaijani citizen, Anar Gassimov, and foreign nationals.
According to the SSS's message, on November 22, Lieutenant Colonel Gahraman Shamil oglu Mammadov, the assistant military attaché to the U.S., arrived in Türkiye from America. Upon his arrival, he retrieved a bag containing gold bars from a customs-free zone at Istanbul Airport. This bag had been left there earlier that same day by another Azerbaijani citizen, Anar Gassimov, who had arrived from the UAE.
Using diplomatic immunity and "abusing his official position," Mammadov smuggled the bag through the border without declaring it to customs. He then took a taxi to a hotel, but on the way, he was detained by Turkish law enforcement officers. Upon searching the bag, authorities found gold bars weighing a total of 70 kg, valued at 10,220,900 manat (around 6 million USD).
During the investigation, another bag containing 14 kg of gold bars, which had not been smuggled through customs, was discovered at the same storage area in the airport. Gassimov was detained and is facing criminal charges in Türkiye.
Mammadov is also facing criminal charges in Azerbaijan under Articles 12.1, 206.3.2, 12.1-1, 206.3.3 (smuggling by prior conspiracy, using official position, beyond Azerbaijan’s borders), and 12.1-1, 341.1 (abuse of office or exceeding authority outside Azerbaijan).
By decision of the Baku Military Court, Mammadov has been arrested, and investigative and operational measures are ongoing, according to the statement.
Politics
-
"I was deeply concerned to learn of the arrest of journalists working with Meydan TV. A free and independent press is a vital component of any democracy. Journalists must be able to report on issues without the fear of arrest, intimidation, or violence." This statement was posted by the UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Fergus Auld, on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday.
-
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the arrest of six journalists and media workers in Azerbaijan, including five staff members of Meydan TV and one freelance journalist. "At around noon, independent journalist Ramin Jebrailzadeh (also known as Ramin Deko) was detained at Baku airport upon his arrival from neighboring Georgia, where he had been covering pro-European protests. At the same time, law enforcement officers in different parts of the city detained Natig Javadhli, Khayala Agaeva, Aytac Tapdyg, Aynur Elgunesh, and Aysel Umudova, who work with the Germany-based independent media outlet Meydan TV," the CPJ statement reads.
-
Georgian special forces dispersed anti-government demonstrators on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi on Friday night, which was the first such crackdown in three days of protests. Authorities used water cannons and tear gas to clear protesters from the area near the Georgian Parliament. Several demonstrators were detained.
-
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, sent a congratulatory message to the President of the European Council, His Excellency Mr. António Costa, on the occasion of his assuming office. "Cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union has a broad agenda and covers energy, including green energy, transport, trade, and other areas. Azerbaijan's important role in ensuring Europe's energy security is undeniable," the message reads.
Leave a review