The Baku Court of Grave Crimes, chaired by Judge Rasim Sadikhov, continues to consider a high-profile criminal case against the former management of the Republican Sanitary and Quarantine Center of the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan. In the dock are the former general director Saleh Novruzi, his deputy Yadulla Balyshov and the head of the laboratory department Tahir Veliyev. As Oxu.Az reports, the trial has entered the stage of interrogation of witnesses whose testimonies reveal a large-scale corruption scheme operating in the state institution.
Thus, in May 2024, the Main Anti-Corruption Department under the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan conducted a special operation in the Republican Sanitary and Quarantine Center. As a result, the general director Saleh Novruzi, his deputy Yadulla Balyshov and the head of the laboratory department Takhir Veliev were detained.
During the investigation, evidence was collected that the said officials, acting by prior agreement, systematically received bribes from entrepreneurs for issuing hygienic certificates for imported and domestic goods. At the same time, as the investigation established, product samples for research were often not even selected, which created a potential threat to the health of consumers.
During searches of office premises and other addresses, documents and material evidence confirming criminal activity were seized.
All three defendants are charged under Articles 311.3.1, 311.3.2, 311.3.3 (receiving a bribe by a group of persons by prior agreement, repeatedly and in a large amount) and 308.2 (abuse of office, resulting in grave consequences) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. Considering the age and health of the defendants, the court chose house arrest and removal from office as a preventive measure.
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