The Baku Court on Grave Crimes held another hearing in the criminal case against Anass Derraz, vice president of the French company SAUR, who is accused of accepting large-scale bribes and other crimes.
According to Oxu.Az, the hearing was presided over by Judge Farid Namazov. A representative of businessman Farhad Akhmedov informed the court that his client could not attend the session due to family circumstances.
Witness Testimony and Diplomatic Correspondence
During the hearing, testimony was read from witness Tural Bayramov, who said he had driven Derraz to the airport on July 14, 2024, at the request of an acquaintance.
Bayramov stated that Derraz introduced himself as an Arab tourist and sought help because he was under a travel ban. Derraz confirmed this account.
The court also reviewed a letter from Derraz’s brother to the French Embassy, reporting that he had lost contact with his brother. The embassy subsequently informed France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which confirmed that Derraz was under criminal investigation by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (SSS).
Background of the Case
According to earlier reports in local and international media, former head of French presidential security Alexandre Benalla and SAUR vice president Anass Derraz are accused of accepting large bribes in 2018 in exchange for lifting international sanctions on the assets of Azerbaijani-born billionaire and Russian citizen Farhad Akhmedov.
Investigations suggest that French officials allegedly demanded payment from Akhmedov in return for freeing his $500 million superyacht Luna from international seizure and shielding him from sanctions.
Part of the multi-million-dollar bribe was reportedly transferred to Derraz’s account at Al Hilal Bank and Benalla’s account at Bank of Africa United Kingdom PLC SC PAR.
Charges and Ongoing Proceedings
Anass Derraz was detained in Azerbaijan and placed under a travel ban. The SSS charged him under Articles 193-1.3.2 (money laundering in a large amount) and 32.5, 311.3.3 (complicity in accepting a large-scale bribe) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.
The next court session, including the questioning of Farhad Akhmedov, is scheduled for October 16.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijani authorities have submitted a request to Interpol for the international search and arrest of Alexandre Benalla.
