The criminal case against Deputy Head of the Yasamal branch of Tekhnikabank, 42-year-old Elnur Seyidov, is fabricated and politically motivated. This was stated by Seyidov’s lawyers at the press conference in IRFS. According to them, Seyidov is persecuted on political orders because of the opposition activities of his relative, Ali Kerimli.
The investigation is completed and on March 14 in the Baku Court of Grave Crimes is scheduled a preliminary hearing on the case.
Seyidov was arrested in late March of last year. Several employees of Tekhnikabank were brought to criminal proceedings, including the head of the Supervisory Board, Etibar Aliyev. The latter however was released after some time.
Seyidov is accused of fraud, embezzlement, and abuse of office.
However, according to Mustafayev the lawyer, what Seyidov is specifically charged with is not clear from the criminal case. "He did not cause any damage to either citizens or the bank," said the lawyer.
All the charges are based on the testimony of some two clients’ perjury against Seyidov, but there is no concrete evidence.
The counsel also pointed to the illegality of the investigation on the case conducted by DHS, and not by the prosecution or the police, with the alleged crimes.
According to him, no real investigation was conducted.
The defense filed a complaint against the illegal arrest to the European Court of Human Rights. However Mustafayev with regret said that the Strasbourg Court delays proceedings for Azerbaijan.
Another lawyer, Fakhraddin Mehdiyev also pointed to the violation of the law during the investigation. He also drew attention to the serious health problems of Seyidov suffering from diseases of the spine and nervous system.
Asked whether Seyidov underwent torture, the lawyer said: "Keeping a seriously ill person in custody is already a torture."
Earlier, several media reported that the arrests were made at the bank in connection with involvement in a breach of financial sanctions against Iran, and the officials used the case also for the arrest of Kerimli’s brother-in-law, who was not involved in these transactions. -16C -
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