Top prosecutor pledges tougher anti-corruption fight (UPDATED)
Azerbaijan’s top prosecutor has pledged tougher combat against corruption, saying efforts to fight graft in the country "are not on the needed level".
Prosecutor-General Zakir Garalov told reporters that steps were being taken to improve the work of the Prosecutor-General's Office department on fighting corruption on President Ilham Aliyev’s orders.
"After substantial measures are taken over a short time, anti-corruption fight will be stepped up."
Garalov said the anti-corruption department sent 101 criminal cases to courts and 166 officials faced criminal charges this year. Investigations into 88 other cases are underway, he said.
During the construction and repair work in schools, there were "serious instances" of embezzlement, the prosecutor-general said.
Garalov said that both businesses which carried out the operations and education ministry officials committed blatant violations of law.
"Investigation into three relevant criminal cases is ongoing," he added.
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