Case transfer to Azerbaijani GPO encourages Eldar Gasanov

At the request of the defence, the criminal case against Eldar Gasanov, a former Azeri Ambassador to three Balkan countries, has been transferred from the State Security Service (SSS) to the General Prosecutor's Office (GPO). The defence was satisfied with the "objective" consideration of the motion. The decision has increased Gasanov's hope for a fair trial, his defence has stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Eldar Gasanov, a former Azerbaijani Ambassador to Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, was detained on August 13 within the criminal case opened against officials of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on abuse of powers, bribe-taking and embezzling budget money. Gasanov declared his innocence.

In the opinion of Namizad Safarov, the coordinator of the Centre against Repressions and Torture, the transfer of Gasanov's case from the SSS to the GPO "improves the position of the former ambassador." He has linked the change in the course of inquiry with a possible softening of authorities' attitude towards Gasanov.

Arif Mamedov, a former head of the Azerbaijan's missions to the EU and the Council of Europe, has noted Gasanov's broad international political and business ties.

He called it remarkable that his comrades, Ilham Ragimov and Victor Khmarin, who are close to the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, have joined the Fund headed by Gasanov.

"The Azerbaijani authorities could not help but be alarmed by Gasanov's stormy international activities and his contacts in Kremlin circles," Mr Mamedov has noted.

Emin Guseinov, Director of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS), treats Gasanov as an important political figure that may be disliked by the authorities.

"At one time, in order to neutralize Gasanov, they actually exiled him to diplomatic work. But even there he expanded his business and political ties; while in Azerbaijan he established close contacts with public groups and online media," Mr Guseinov has explained.