Baku / 20.24.19 / Turan: "Everything written about my non-transparent activities and income is nothing but slander and an attempt of pressure."
This was stated by the Chairman of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives Akif Gurbanov in response to information published in a number of media outlets allegedly saying that he enriches and acquires real estate through grants allocated by the embassies of Western states for various projects.
"First of all, I want to state that the property referred to in this information really belongs to me and is registered in the name of my spouse," Gurbanov said in his video address, adding that his family owns two apartments acquired via mortgage, for which they make monthly loan payments, as well as owns a country land. He also told that he owns a car of Hundai brand.
According to Gurbanov, until 2016 he worked at the Central Election Commission and received quite a high salary: "In addition, during various elections I officially received quite good premiums/awards. Regarding my activities in the subsequent period, I want to note that within 3 years I paid all taxes for income which exceeded 100,000 manat and I have no tax debt. My income was formed not as a result of any secret activity, but as a result of several contracts concluded with UK and US Embassies on provision of services. Receiving grants, as written in the articles, is out of question. Of course, the Azerbaijani authorities are aware of this, as we submitted these contracts to the bank and listed services provided by us in details.
Akif Gurbanov also presented the income report of his spouse, adding that having such an income, it was not difficult to acquire the above property even without a loan. However, the family purchased apartments via mortgage, and the dacha plot for 24,000 manat without a loan and currently carry out construction works there.
At the end, he stressed that starting from 2017, he has been subjected to various forms of pressure, and the last media article is a continuation of this pressure.
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