Former Head of National Security Ministry of Nakhchivan Asking Media and Public for Help

The once-powerful head of the National Security Ministry of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR) Veli Aleskerov himself became a victim of the repressive system of law enforcement bodies and special services. This was reported at a press conference by his lawyers Vugar Khasiyev and Tofig Allahverdiyev.

"I encounter such a scale of illegal actions for the first time. And it is not only about the accused, but also about his relatives and lawyers," said Khasiyev.

Aleskerov was dismissed from his post in mid-December 2015. He was arrested on March 7 this year, and charged under articles 179.3.2, 308.1 and 309.1 (embezzlement in a large scale, abuse and exceeding official powers).

On March 14 the lawyer Khasiyev arrived in Nakhchivan and met with the prisoner in jail. Aleskerov wrote a letter of refusal from the state attorney and reported torture. He further said that the first testimony was given in a state of stress and he wanted to give new testimony with his lawyer.

Back in Baku Khasiyev made a request for a new interrogation. However, on arrival in Nakhchivan on March 16, he was not allowed to meet with the investigators Elshad Agayev and Elshad Ibrahimov. He could not see Aleskerov in jail either.

In the evening the lawyer was detained by police and searched. "It was illegal, but I did not object," said the lawyer. Later, he learned that Aleskerov was forced to abandon Khasiyev’s services on March 15.

On March 29 Aleskerov was released under house arrest and he confirmed that he had been forced to abandon Khasayev’s services, but from April 26, Khasayev once again has been defending the rights of Aleskerov.

According to the lawyer, during the investigation Aleskerov was taken periodically to the State Security Service of Nakhchivan, beaten and humiliated by his former subordinates.

Pressure is also exerted on Aleskerov’s relatives. His brother was kept in the police for three days, and then released after they received 100 thousand manat.

Aleskerov, his brother and two sisters were confiscated apartments, houses, businesses and land. In general, the amount of the confiscated property was 6 million manat. A part of the property was seized by a court decision, but the majority was taken from them on bogus contracts of donation. In addition, more than 50 relatives of Aleskerov were laid off.

As for the charges, then, according to the investigation, Aleskerov wrote out premiums in the names of his employees and appropriated a large part of the funds. He also roughly treated his subordinates, etc.

Another lawyer Tofig Allahverdiyev went to Nakhchivan on 26 April and saw that Aleskerov was being taken to the State Security Service, not to the prosecutor office.

 The lawyer considers it illegal, since the State Security Service has no authority to question the accused. After that the lawyer in fact was deported from Nakhchivan,

The lawyer Khasiyev believes Aleskerov was the victim of some combat inside the elite in Nakhchivan.

When asked whether the investigation regarded the death scenes in the Ministry of National Security, the torture of Turaj Zeynalov and harassment of local activists and journalists, Khasiyev replied in the negative.

To the journalists’ notes that Aleskerov himself conducted reprisals against the opposition in MNS, the lawyer said the defense was in favor of an investigation under the law.

The purpose of the press conference is to draw public attention to violations of the law.

The defense also appeals to the President of Azerbaijan and the Prosecutor General Zakir Garalov, asking them to ensure the transfer of the case to a prosecutor office in Baku.

While Aleskerov is located in Nakhchivan, the threat of his arrest and physical destruction is real, according to the lawyers.

Referring to the version of Aleskerov’s arrest for his close ties with the former head of the Ministry of National Security of Azerbaijan Eldar Mahmudov, they only had official communication. Moreover, Aleskerov conflicted with Mahmudov on certain issues, said the lawyer. -06C-