The Public Chamber: Let Ilham Aliyev Pay Kozeny out of his pocket

On Wednesday, the Public Chamber of Commerce held hearings on corruption, "Kozeny scandal" at the "Musavat" party’s office. 

The head of the  Popular Front Party, Ali Kerimli noted that this scam10 years ago, shows the venality and corruption of government members of Azerbaijan. He discussed with SOCAR leadership the question on privatization of the company. After receiving verbal consent, Kozeny began to collect money from investors and  to purchase vouchers from the public.  Then it became known the state company would not be privatized.

As a result, the affected investors filed a lawsuit in a New York court that  brought Kozeny to justice. At the trial, it was reported that Kozeny actually received assurances from official Baku in the future privatization of SOCAR, the representatives of Azerbaijani authorities were paid multi-million dollar bribes.

According to some reports, former president Heydar Aliyev received $83 million, with the total damage to investors totaling $300 million.

Kerimli explained, by the recent statement, to the current head of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, that Baku is ready to pay the victim-investors $150 million through the sale of state property of Azerbaijan, according to American press.

Kerimli called such a scenario, an attempt by the authorities "to pay their own debts at the expense of the people," and added that one day they will answer for it.

The leader of "Musavat", Isa Gambar, said that Baku has always said the charges of Kozeny is slander. "Now they are ready to pay 150 million. It means that the allegations of corruption were not slander," he said.

Lawyer Vidadi Mirkyamal said that Ilham Aliyev readiness to pay 150 million  is criminal. This debt, the Aliyevs family must pay out of their own pocket, and not by the people's money, he said.

The panelists noted that it is impossible to bring the perpetrators to justice without a change of government. However, sooner or later it will be done.-05C-