The preparatory court hearing has begun for Vusal Huseynov, Karim Kerimov, and Ismail Mammadaliyev, inspectors at the Clearance Center of the Bilasuvar Customs Department, and Asif Hajimuradov, an instructor-kinologist from the "Azərterminalkompleks" Association assigned to the same department. They are accused of smuggling, illegal circulation of narcotic drugs, and accepting large bribes, along with Azerbaijani citizen Etibar Hatamli and Iranian citizen Jafar Rafie Rezayan.
According to Oxu.Az, during the proceedings chaired by Judge Kamil Aliyev at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes, the personal information of the accused was verified.
Although the lawyers of the accused presented motions to change the pre-trial detention measure for their clients, the court did not grant the motions.
A decision was made to proceed with the trial of the criminal case.
The next hearing has been scheduled for February 13.
It should be noted that the preliminary investigation has established reasonable suspicions that Vusal Huseynov, Karim Kerimov, and Ismail Mammadaliyev, inspectors at the Clearance Center of the Bilasuvar Customs Department of the State Customs Committee, and Asif Hajimuradov, an instructor-kinologist from the "Azərterminalkompleks" Association assigned to the same department, entered into criminal conspiracy with Azerbaijani citizen Etibar Hatamli and Iranian citizen Jafar Rafie Rezayan. Using their official positions, in exchange for large bribes, they facilitated the smuggling of medicines containing potent and psychotropic substances, valued at a total of 410,000 manats, found in the cargo compartment of a passenger bus owned by Jafar Rezayan and obtained in Iran, as well as unstamped tobacco products belonging to Azerbaijan, into the country, bypassing customs control.
Pre-trial detention was chosen as a measure of restraint for Vusal Huseynov, Ismail Mammadaliyev, Karim Kerimov, Asif Hajimuradov, and Etibar Hatamli, while house arrest was chosen for Jafar Rezayan.