Based on special verification algorithms for processing exam results in this year's graduation and entrance exams, the State Examination Center (SEC) conducted a special investigation because the answers of some applicants raised suspicions.
The editorial office reports that the SEC released information on this matter.
It was stated that when the exam results were announced, the answers of those exam participants were not disclosed, and a notification stating "Your exam results are under investigation" was displayed on their pages. Following this, instructions were given to personnel conducting the admission process at the entrance of the examination building in subsequent exams to pay special attention to certain matters. As a result, during the next entrance exam held in Ganja city, technical devices intended for covert information retrieval, and whose use is permitted by relevant authorities only with special authorization, were discovered on some applicants.
"On June 17, 2025, a list of applicants whose results were suspicious based on special verification algorithms, as well as those on whom technical devices were found, was submitted to law enforcement agencies for investigation. A relevant statement for the mass media regarding these violations was also issued on July 30.
The organizers of this case and the network they established have been exposed during the preliminary investigation. On November 6, the Press Service of the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan had already provided relevant information to the media regarding the referral to court of a criminal case against a group of individuals accused of manufacturing and selling illegal technical devices for use in graduation and entrance exams, and it was noted that measures were continuing to bring other individuals involved in similar criminal activities to justice. These violations harm not only individual persons but also the reliability of the examination system as a whole and the right to fair competition for thousands of applicants. In this regard, the State Examination Center acts as the injured party in this criminal case.
The criminal acts committed by the accused individuals in this criminal case, Islam Elshan oglu Babayev, Ayxan Ilham oglu Mammadov, and Murad Mahir oglu Mammadov, have been fully proven by the evidence collected during the investigation, including their confessional statements, as well as witness testimonies, expert opinions, and other investigative documents. It is determined from the materials of the criminal case that the number of applicants intended to be assisted in this case is 11. These applicants also gave testimony as witnesses and confessed to their actions in their statements. It should be recalled that during the investigation of the criminal case, a shoemaker who prepared special shoes for placing technical devices was also summoned for investigation and gave testimony as a witness.
During the investigation, on October 29, the SEC was recognized as the injured party and provided with investigative information. While reviewing the indictment, the actions of the currently accused individuals, Gündüz Yaşar oğlu Abbasov and Kamran Alim oğlu Əsədov, also came to light. As is now known, according to the indictment, Gündüz Abbasov and Kamran Əsədov received various amounts of money from different individuals who applied to them for assistance in easily passing exams conducted by the State Examination Center using prohibited technical devices, and they divided this money among themselves. They met with applicants in various places and explained how to use the technical devices.
It should be noted that thick-soled sports shoes were used to conceal these devices. Their soles were cut and widened with special tools. Thus, from the outside, it was impossible to detect the presence of foreign objects in the sole of the shoe at the entrance. These applicants then went to the restroom (according to the rules, participants are allowed to meet their natural needs until the exam begins). There, they placed the earpiece into their ears with a special stick, the camera onto the button area of their shirt, the transmitter device onto their shoulder with special adhesive, and the internet sharing device into the heel of their shoe. They then returned to the classroom and, after the exam began, transmitted the image to the other party by pointing the camera they had on them at the booklet. The other party, using a special application on their phone, received the images live. The answers were communicated by calling a phone that resembled a thin plastic card with the words "VIP-smart" written on it, and without any buttons. When a call was received on the number on the card, the phone automatically answered, and the voice of the caller could be heard.
Based on the collected evidence, the accused individuals have been charged under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code, and a measure of restraint in the form of detention has been chosen for Gündüz Abbasov by court order, while Kamran Əsədov has been subjected to a pledge not to leave his place of residence.
On December 12, a preparatory hearing was held at the Ganja City Court regarding the accused individuals, their personal information was verified, their legal obligations were explained, and they were asked if they had familiarized themselves with the indictment. Although Kamran Əsədov requested that the proceedings be held in camera, citing potential information that journalists might spread about him, the judge stated that there were no grounds for this, and the participation of journalists in the proceedings was ensured. The court hearing has been scheduled for December 19 at 15:00.
For additional information, it should be noted that investigations are ongoing. According to subparagraph 6.4.2 of the "Rules for Student Admission to Higher Education Institutions of the Republic of Azerbaijan" approved by the Decree No. 39 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated February 8, 2017, it is prohibited to bring or use mobile phones and other communication devices, calculators and other electronic devices, notes, dictionaries, tables, information booklets, and other auxiliary tools into the exam.
If the Center discovers instances where an applicant violates the actions specified in paragraph 6.4 of these Rules, their competition (exam) results will be canceled. As evident from the requirements of the legislation, regardless of the stage of the admission campaign at which violations are discovered, they constitute grounds for the cancellation of the participants' competition (exam) results," the statement noted.