The Baku Military Court has held its first hearing in a criminal case over the alleged embezzlement of 207,000 manats at Azerbaijan’s Training Centre (TTM), known as the “Salyanski barracks.” Seven people are on trial, including the centre’s former head, Colonel Sari Khalilov.
According to a preliminary investigation by the Military Prosecutor’s Office, the damage caused to the Training Centre (TTM) has been assessed at 207,000 manats. Judge Zeynal Aghayev is presiding over the embezzlement case.
Besides Sari Khalilov, those charged include his former aide, warrant officer Bakhtiyar Bahramzade; the centre’s former head of financial services, Lieutenant Colonel Rashad Malikzade; and four others who held various posts — Ibadulla Aliyev, Hajiagha Hamidov, Afgan Yunusov and Ayaz Adamov. Of the seven, only Rashad Malikzade and Ibadulla Aliyev are currently in custody.
At the preliminary hearing, the defendants’ personal details were verified and initial hearings were held. The case has since been referred to trial, with the next hearing scheduled for November 13.
The defendants face charges of embezzlement committed by an organized group. If convicted, the former servicemen face up to 10 years in prison and must compensate the damage caused.
Sari Khalilov is reported to be a close friend of former Deputy Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Nizam Osmanov. Khalilov was sent into retirement around the same time Osmanov was dismissed from his post.
