IOLR

A trial took place in the criminal case of the former head of the personnel department of the Azerbaijan State Mime Theater Ayten Kerimova, accused of embezzlement of a large sum of money, oxu.az reports. At a meeting chaired by Judge Leyla Asgarova-Mammadova today at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, the defendant’s lawyer made a petition. He noted that A. Kerimova would like to make reconciliation with the victim, even 27,000 manats were paid as compensation for damage, although the exact amount of damage was not indicated in the indictment. In this regard, the court asked to conduct an accounting examination.

The state prosecutor demanded that the former department head be sentenced to seven years in prison and be arrested in the courtroom. The trial will continue until May 13.

Ayten Kerimova is accused under articles 179.3.2 (embezzlement or embezzlement – committed on a large scale), 308.2 (abuse of official powers) and 313 (abuse of powers) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. She is accused of embezzling a total of 332 thousand manats that belonged to the theater.

In Azerbaijan, penalties for violating legislation on the prevention of domestic violence have been tightened; administrative arrest will be applied. As APA reports, this is reflected in the corresponding decree of President Ilham Aliyev.

According to the amendment, for a repeated offense by a person who has received an administrative penalty, within one year from the date of entry into legal force of the decision to impose an administrative penalty, a fine of 500-700 manats is imposed, or depending on the circumstances and the identity of the offender, from 60 to 100 hours of community service or up to 15 days of administrative arrest.

In April, staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) again visited people of Armenian origin, whose detention was reported by the Azerbaijani side, oxu.az reports. One-on-one meetings were held with the detainees, and conditions were created for them to communicate with their families.

It was emphasized that, during such visits, the ICRC, in accordance with its mandate, assesses the treatment and conditions of detention of detainees, and provides them with facilities to re-establish or maintain contact with their families. In accordance with ICRC procedures, observations and recommendations related to visits are transmitted and discussed only with the detaining party.

Let us recall that the law enforcement agencies of Azerbaijan detained and brought to Baku the former leaders of the Armenian separatists in Karabakh Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, the former so-called “Minister of Foreign Affairs” David Babayan, as well as the “Chairman of Parliament” David Ishkhanyan, generals Leva Mnatsakanyan, David Manukyan and ex-“state minister” Ruben Vardanyan.

The date of the next meeting of the Commission on Pardons under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan has become known. APA reports that the commission meeting is scheduled for April 17, 2024.

The commission’s meetings will be held in connection with the pardon planned on the occasion of May 28 – Independence Day.

At the first meeting of the commission on issues of pardon, more than 100 appeals were considered.

Hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are starting based on preliminary objections raised by Azerbaijan, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Aykhan Hajizada posted on his X account, APA reports.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Elnur Mammadov represents Azerbaijani side in this process.

Note that the International Court of Justice will hold public hearings on preliminary objections raised by Azerbaijan regarding the Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (“Armenia vs. Azerbaijan”) at the Peace Palace in The Hague from April 15 to 19.

On September 16, 2021, Armenia started proceedings against Azerbaijan with allegations of violation of the mentioned convention.

On April 21, 2023, Azerbaijan submitted its preliminary objections to the court’s jurisdiction.

It was noted that the first round of hearings, where oral arguments will be presented, will be held on April 15 (Azerbaijan) and April 16 (Armenia), and the second round will be held on April 17 (Azerbaijan) and April 19 (Armenia).

In another press release of the ICJ, it was mentioned that hearings will be held on Armenia’s preliminary objections to the Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Azerbaijan vs. Armenia).

It was reported that the hearings will be held from April 22 to 26.

In Azerbaijan, over the past weekend, police officers seized 49 kg of drugs from illegal trafficking, Report informs citing the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In particular, on April 13 and 14, 2024, approximately 5 kg of heroin, approximately 39 kg of marijuana and approximately 5 kg of methamphetamine were discovered and seized.