The trial of social worker and human rights activist Zamin Zeki, one of the defendants in the so-called “NGO case,” has concluded, Oxu.Az reports. At the trial in the Baku Court of Grave Crimes, presided over by Judge Elmin Rustamov, the state prosecutor addressed the court and requested an eight-year prison sentence for Zamin Zeki.
The next court hearing is scheduled for March 11.
Z. Zeki was charged under Articles 193-1.3.2 (laundering of criminally obtained property in a significant amount), 308.2 (abuse of office resulting in grave consequences), and 313 (forgery) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Binagadi District Court has ordered his arrest. According to the charges, he laundered over 50,000 manat.
Previously, the Investigative Department of the Prosecutor General’s Office opened a criminal case under Articles 192.2.2 (illegal entrepreneurship involving large-scale profit-making), 213.1 (evasion of taxes, unemployment insurance contributions, compulsory health insurance, or compulsory state social insurance in a significant amount), 308.2 (abuse of office resulting in grave consequences), and other articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan against a number of non-governmental organizations operating in the country. This case is investigating violations in the activities of various NGOs, their leaders, as well as branches and representative offices of foreign non-governmental organizations.
