SSS investigation: large-scale smuggling scheme worth hundreds of millions of manats uncovered

A preliminary court hearing was held on the criminal case of Zohrab Hidayatov, Elvin Shirinov and Gachgyn Humbatov, the preliminary investigation of which was conducted by the State Security Service of Azerbaijan, oxu.az reports. At the trial chaired by Judge Fahmin Humbatov of the Sumgayit Court for Grave Crimes, the personal data of the accused were clarified. A decision was made to transfer the criminal case to court without changing the preventive measure in the form of arrest. The next hearing is scheduled for November 7, 2024.

The defendants were charged under Articles 192.3.2 (illegal entrepreneurship with the receipt of especially large income) and 206.3.2 (smuggling committed by a group of persons by prior agreement) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

According to the case materials, Z. Khidayatov organized the export of products belonging to various legal entities and individuals from the country on behalf of E. Shirinov and G. Gumbatov, whom he illegally registered as entrepreneurs, and presented false documents to the customs authorities stating that these individuals were the manufacturers of these goods intended for export. Thus, he managed to export goods worth more than 326 million manats without proper declaration. These actions served as a way to withdraw cash from the country and create a shadow economy.

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