Tofig Yagublu claimed the protocols were falsified in connection with the search at his home

On January 31, the trial of opposition politician Tofig Yagublu continued at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, where the examination of documents resumed. Yagublu pointed out the falsification of the search protocols related to the search at his home. He drew attention to the fact that the protocol stated that on December 14, 2023, at 16:00, the investigator completed the questioning of the "victim" and decided to conduct a search.

After that, the investigator allegedly requested a search warrant from the court, formed a team for the search, and by 17:50, law enforcement officers arrived at Yagublu's house to carry out the search. Yagublu emphasized that it was physically impossible to go to the court, receive a warrant, and then reach his home in Garachukhur from Narimanov Court in just 1 hour and 50 minutes, especially given the current traffic conditions.

He also pointed out that it was impossible to conduct the search and complete the protocol in the 90 minutes as claimed in the case materials. He stated that, in reality, no search took place. The officers first went upstairs with Yagublu's wife, while other officers planted money in a room on the first floor. Then, the officers came downstairs and "immediately found" the money.

Yagublu also noted that the search was not recorded on video. Furthermore, according to him, his fingerprints were falsified on the "discovered" banknotes. "How is it that my fingerprints were left, but Elshan Huseynov (the victim) and Elnur Mamedov (another defendant in the case) have none?" said Yagublu.

He also filed a motion for the criminal case to be dismissed due to a lack of evidence of his guilt. However, the motion was rejected.

The next court session is scheduled for February 14.

*It should be reminded that Tofig Yagublu, a member of the National Council of Democratic Forces and the Musavat Party, was arrested on December 14, 2023, on charges of fraud, falsification, and the illegal production of official documents and using forged documents. Yagublu called the charges fabricated. The politician has previously faced both criminal and administrative persecution. International organizations have recognized him as a prisoner of conscience.