A criminal case has been initiated regarding several non-governmental organizations operating in Azerbaijan, APA reports.
According to information obtained by APA, the Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General's Office has initiated a criminal case under Articles 192.2.2, 213.1, 308.2, and other provisions of the Criminal Code, and an initial investigation is underway.
The criminal case is investigating the violations of the law found in the activities of several non-governmental organizations in Azerbaijan, their leaders, as well as the branches and representations of foreign non-governmental organizations.
How were the grants given?
According to the information obtained, some international organizations have provided illegal grant funds under various names to individuals such as Bashir Suleymanli, head of the "Beneficiary: Legal Aid Center and Civil Rights Institute," Subhan Hasanli, head of the "Social Rights Center," and Mammad Mammadzade (Mammad Alpay), founder and director of "Ishtirak Evi" LLC, as well as several others. These funds were not registered with the Ministry of Justice or other executive bodies, and were allocated and sent to the country under the name of "service contract," contrary to national legislation.
According to the information, in 2020-2021, Bashir Suleymanli and Mammad Alpay, as individuals, drew up unregistered contracts with the German Marshall Fund of the United States under the guise of service contracts. Subhan Hasanli also entered into similar contracts with the U.S. "FH1360" humanitarian organization and the Institute for War and Peace Reporting.
These individuals allegedly provided services to various international organizations and received "service fees" in return. In reality, the grants were formalized under this name, and then they conducted financial transactions with those funds and legalized them.
Funds for "No War" and LGBT propaganda
The legalized funds, under the direction of international organizations, were spent under the guise of "human rights protection" for vulnerable social groups, to undermine public-political stability. These funds were primarily used to support the "No war," "LGBT," and "ultra-liberal" ideologies and to conduct counter-propaganda against mental values. Most notably, these groups used the funds to organize activities against Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
Arrests of Bashir Suleymanli and Mammad Alpay
On the previous day, Mammad Alpay (Mammadzad) and Bashir Suleymanli were charged with Articles 193-1.3.2 (legalization of significant amounts of assets obtained by criminal means), 308.2 (abuse of office duties causing serious consequences), and 313 (forgery in office). The Binagadi District Court decided to apply a detention measure against them.
Subhan Hasanli fled from investigation
Subhan Hasanli has also been charged under Articles 193-1.2.3 (legalization of assets obtained by criminal means using his official position), 308.2, and 313. However, he fled and is now in hiding, for which a search warrant has been issued against him. He was also placed under arrest by the decision of the Binagadi District Court.
Organizations and banks assisting in money laundering under investigation
APA has also learned that the investigation continues regarding individuals who received grants through illegal contracts and brought them to Azerbaijan. The investigation is not limited to the non-governmental organizations and their leaders engaged in this activity. Efforts are underway to hold the organizations that facilitated this activity, including bank employees, criminally responsible.
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