Trial of gold smuggling case worth half a million manat begins

The Baku Court of Grave Crimes has begun hearing a high-profile criminal case against customs officer Afsar Mirzaliyev, accused of attempting to smuggle 41 gold bars into the country, oxu.az reports. The first court hearing was held today. Citizen Safar Safarov is also involved in the case along with Mirzaliyev.

According to the investigation materials, acting by prior agreement, Safarov arrived on an Istanbul-Baku flight to Heydar Aliyev International Airport, carrying 41 gold bars with a total weight of 3.145 kg and a value of 461 thousand manats. Mirzaliyev, using his official position, helped his accomplice to illegally move the precious cargo across the border.

The accused were brought to criminal responsibility by the Main Department for Combating Corruption under the Prosecutor General. Safarov was charged under Article 206.3.2 (smuggling committed by a group of persons by prior agreement), and Mirzaliyev was charged under Articles 206.3.2 and 206.3.3 (smuggling committed by an official using his official position by a group of persons by prior agreement) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. Both are under arrest.

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