The trial of Chingiz Mehdiyev, a former department head at the Baku City Circuit Operations Company, accused of embezzling funds allocated for Formula 1, continues.
Idman.biz, citing Qafqazinfo.az, reports that at today's hearing at the Baku Court on Grave Crimes, Mehdiyev requested the interrogation of several individuals involved in the case.
The primary figure mentioned was Arif Rahimov, the son of the late Minister of Youth and Sports, Azad Rahimov. During the period in question, Arif Rahimov served as the director of the Baku City Circuit Operations Company. However, during the investigation, no criminal case was initiated against him.
The defendant asserts that Arif Rahimov was aware of all the operations carried out under his management and had knowledge of the foreign companies linked to the case. Mehdiyev’s lawyer emphasized this point, filing a petition for Rahimov’s testimony.
“Arif Rahimov was the head of the company. Formula 1 is not just any event; it requires an allocation of 150 million AZN. As the director, he was responsible for overseeing every penny spent by the state. He must answer before the court,” said Araz Huseynli, Mehdiyev’s lawyer.
Prosecutor Orkhan Samadov did not object to the petition, stating:
“If there had been any illegality in his activities, it would have been addressed during the investigation. However, we have no objection to questioning Arif Rahimov as an additional witness to clarify the matter.”
Presiding judge Leyla Asgarova-Mammadova deferred the decision on this petition, indicating it would be reviewed in future sessions.
Meanwhile, Zaur Melikaslanov, a supplier for the Baku City Circuit Operations Company, and Urfan Taghizade, Mehdiyev’s former deputy currently residing in the United States, have been identified as witnesses in the case but have not appeared in court. The court has issued orders for their compulsory attendance, to be enforced by law enforcement.
The defense also requested the court to consider an earlier petition. The petition noted that the State Audit Office conducted an audit of the Baku City Circuit Operations Company for 2015–2020. However, the resulting report has not been provided to the defendant.
The defense asked the court to assist in obtaining the report. The judge stated that this matter would also be addressed in subsequent proceedings.
During the session, documents were reviewed, and the defendant was questioned regarding various aspects of the case.
The prosecutor inquired why Mehdiyev changed his name after moving to the United States. Mehdiyev explained that the name change in 2006 was for personal reasons and unrelated to the current case.
The next hearing is scheduled for December 16.
Before that: "Chingiz Mehdiyev is accused of embezzling approximately 400,000 AZN of state funds allocated for organizing Formula 1 events".
Mehdiyev is not currently in custody; he has been placed under police supervision until the conclusion of the trial.
Idman.biz
