Tofig Yagublu exposed the lies of the investigation

At the trial of the opposition politician Tofig Yagublu, the statement of Elnur Vaqifoglu, another accused, was heard at the Baku Serious Crimes Court.

He claimed to have known Yagublu since the early 2000s.

Vaqifoglu further noted that Elshan Huseynov, who is known as the victim in this case, appealed to him for assistance in emigration.
Vaqifoglu, in turn, asked Yagublu for help.

According to Vagifoglu, Yagublu promised to organize a visa for Elshan Huseynov within a day through the mediation of Ganimat Zahid, a journalist who is in political exile abroad.

In return, Yagublu asked for 25,000 euros and allegedly received this amount.

Yagublu rejected these claims.

He said that he did not know Vagifoglu. At the same time, according to Yagublu, Vaqifoglu approached him several times during the activists' trials and tried to get acquainted.

"Once he even offered me to organize the defense of Mikheil Saakashvili, taking into account the presence of my relatives in Georgia. Of course, I refused," Yagublu said.

He drew attention to the fact that a copy of the passport was given to him for a visa in the criminal case.
Vaqifoglu confirmed this in court.

"This statement alone shows the absurdity of this criminal case. "Who gives a visa for 1 day, based on a copy of the passport?" Yagublu said.

He also expressed his anger at the ban on the video recording of the court session.
The next court hearing is scheduled for August 8.

Let us recall 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 illegal production of official documents and the use of forged documents. Yagublu called the charges far-fetched. The politician had previously been repeatedly subjected to criminal and administrative prosecution. International organizations have recognized him as a prisoner of conscience.