The next hearing has been held in the criminal case launched by the State Security Service (SSS) against Anass Derraz — the vice president of France’s SAUR company and a French citizen of Moroccan origin — who was arrested on charges of accepting large-scale bribes and other crimes, APA reports.
During the trial chaired by Judge Farid Namazov, at the Baku Court on Grave Crimes, the defendant answered the questions of the public prosecutor.
A. Derraz stated that he is an engineer by profession. The public prosecutor, however, questioned how he could act as a legal advisor in the court process related to the lifting of the seizure on Farhad Ahmadov’s yacht, given that he is an engineer by profession. A. Derraz stated that he did not participate in the court process: “I am not a lawyer, and I did not participate in the proceedings. I only gave advice. Farhad Ahmadov had a yacht in Dubai. Several lawyers assisted him in getting the yacht released. Although I am an engineer, I had experience in the legal field. I repeat once again that I did not take part in the process; I only provided assistance. I coordinated the work. I was their authorized representative. The yacht was not released, and I did not receive a bonus.”
In response to the public prosecutor's question, "How did you meet Farhad Ahmadov, and with whom was the contract signed?" Derraz stated: “We met through mutual friends. The contract was also signed with him. The agreement between us was not for legal assistance but for consultation. Our contract was mainly executed in the United Arab Emirates. I received a fee for the legal consultation. I had a bank account in Dubai. The money was transferred from Farhad Ahmadov’s account in Switzerland.”
Later, the statement given by the accused during the preliminary investigation was read. In his testimony, the accused said that he had lived in Dubai. He was acquainted with Alexandre Benalla, the former head of the security service of the President of France. He had conversations with Farhad Ahmadov regarding the seizure of the yacht named "Luna" and the need for assistance in lifting the seizure: “He spoke about the groundless decision of the London court. We met online. Benalla said that he would have the yacht released through his connections. I was supposed to provide legal consultation and find lawyers. In a way, I was supposed to be engaged in lobbying. We were to ensure the release of the yacht from seizure, as well as its free navigation in waters, and we signed a contract for this. The contract value was 6 million 140 thousand dollars. We split the money. 2 million 250 thousand dollars were to go to me, and 3 million 290 thousand dollars to Alexandre Benalla. Then, as an advance, Benalla took 400 thousand dollars, and I took 200 thousand dollars. We were supposed to receive the remaining amount after the full completion of the work. The money was transferred to us from Farhad Ahmadov’s bank account in Switzerland. I signed the contract on November 15, 2018. Benalla had his own contract as well. Later, I read in the media that Alexandre Benalla was held accountable for receiving money from millionaire Iskender Makhmudov. I fulfilled my part, but the "Luna" was not released. However, I did not return my fee. This was also reflected in the terms of the contract. During the transfer, Alexandre Benalla had problems at the bank. Although he stated that the money was intended for the release of "Luna" from seizure, the bank searched online and, considering it false, refused. I was also asked about the source; I stated the source, and there was no problem. As for Alexandre Benalla, "Luna" was under arrest. The internet is not a reliable source. The bank said that supposedly there was no seizure on "Luna.""
The next court hearing will continue on October 2 with witness testimony.
Note that according to the charges, in a criminal case investigated by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (SSS), former head of the French Presidential Security Service Alexandre Benalla and Anass Derraz, Vice President of the French company SAUR, which has a turnover of billions, are accused of receiving large-scale bribes and committing other criminal offenses in exchange for lifting international sanctions against Azerbaijani-born Russian billionaire Farhad Ahmadov’s assets in 2018.
Previous reports published in both foreign and local media claim that the two men solicited bribes from Ahmadov, promising in return to secure the release of his luxurious “Luna” yacht from international seizure and protect him from sanctions.
According to available information, a portion of the multimillion-dollar bribe was reportedly transferred to Anass Derraz’s account at Al Hilal Bank and to Alexandre Benalla’s account at Bank of Africa United Kingdom PLC SC PAR.
Anass Derraz was detained in Azerbaijan under circumstances that remain unclear, and he has been prohibited from leaving the country. Azerbaijan has also requested INTERPOL to issue a warrant for Alexandre Benalla.
Derraz has been charged under the following articles of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code:
193-1.3.2 – Money laundering committed in significant amounts
32.5, 311.3.3 – Passive bribery (accepting a bribe), committed in large amounts
A travel restriction has been imposed on him as a preventive measure.
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