Group seized over fraud
Azerbaijani law enforcers have arraigned a major organization
engaged in fraud. The Prosecutor-General's Office has opened a
criminal case against the Council on Civil Oversight over Bribery
and Other Negative Instances.
It has been established that the group was set up by a person named Shahin Mahmudov in 2006. The Council's founders had appealed to the Justice Ministry to undergo registration but it was denied due to the incompliance of its by-laws with the national legislation. Nonetheless, Mahmudov continued to run the organization and spread misinformation that it had been legally established on a recommendation and with assistance of the government, the Prosecutor-General's Office said.
Mahmudov claimed that the Council would be funded from the state budget and by foreign donors and that its employees would receive monthly salaries to the tune of 500-600 manats (up to $714). He had set up "representations" in 62 regions of Azerbaijan, appointed heads, inspectors and supervisors to these entities and granted them ID cards with the organization's official seal. The heads of the regional representations received documents outlining their rights and responsibilities and were instructed of their authorization to conduct audits on irregularities among citizens and to report on their findings in relevant protocols.
In 2007 four offices of the Council in the regions and one in the Nizami district of Baku illegally conducted audits on tax payments by private individuals and businesses, proper use of state property as well as environmental, sanitary, trade and other regulations.
The group conducted surveys on allegedly official papers in various organizations demanding them to provide answers in questionnaires, examined property and documentation in businesses, including financial documents. Based on the illicit check-ups, papers indicating the outcomes were compiled and money was acquired from citizens by means of intimidation and fraud, the Prosecutor-General's Office said.
The organization's founder Mahmudov as well as five other persons involved have been arrested and a search announced for two others.
It has been established that the group was set up by a person named Shahin Mahmudov in 2006. The Council's founders had appealed to the Justice Ministry to undergo registration but it was denied due to the incompliance of its by-laws with the national legislation. Nonetheless, Mahmudov continued to run the organization and spread misinformation that it had been legally established on a recommendation and with assistance of the government, the Prosecutor-General's Office said.
Mahmudov claimed that the Council would be funded from the state budget and by foreign donors and that its employees would receive monthly salaries to the tune of 500-600 manats (up to $714). He had set up "representations" in 62 regions of Azerbaijan, appointed heads, inspectors and supervisors to these entities and granted them ID cards with the organization's official seal. The heads of the regional representations received documents outlining their rights and responsibilities and were instructed of their authorization to conduct audits on irregularities among citizens and to report on their findings in relevant protocols.
In 2007 four offices of the Council in the regions and one in the Nizami district of Baku illegally conducted audits on tax payments by private individuals and businesses, proper use of state property as well as environmental, sanitary, trade and other regulations.
The group conducted surveys on allegedly official papers in various organizations demanding them to provide answers in questionnaires, examined property and documentation in businesses, including financial documents. Based on the illicit check-ups, papers indicating the outcomes were compiled and money was acquired from citizens by means of intimidation and fraud, the Prosecutor-General's Office said.
The organization's founder Mahmudov as well as five other persons involved have been arrested and a search announced for two others.
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
Subscribe
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!