A high-profile corruption case involving senior officials of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Health has been sent to the Baku Court on Grave Crimes, the General Prosecutor’s Office announced.
The investigation, conducted by the Anti-Corruption Directorate, uncovered evidence that Saida Rustamova, former head of the ministry’s Human Resources, Science, and Education Department, conspired with Rukhiya Magerramova, senior inspector of the same department, Latafat Jabbarova, former head of the Accreditation Department at the Center for Public Health and Reforms, and other accomplices to systematically accept bribes in exchange for illegal services.
According to prosecutors, the accused:
Changed doctors’ official medical specializations;
Arranged illegal access to certification exams required for practicing medicine or pharmacy — including in plastic surgery;
Issued falsified certificates with fabricated exam results;
Exerted unlawful influence on decisions of other officials.
Investigators also found that Rustamova laundered illicit proceeds through real estate purchases. She has been charged under multiple Criminal Code articles, including:
193-1.3.2 – large-scale money laundering;
308.2 – abuse of official authority causing grave consequences;
311.3.1, 311.3.2, 311.3.3 – repeated large-scale bribery by a group in collusion;
312-1.1 – trading in influence;
313 – official forgery.
Magerramova and Jabbarova face related aiding-and-abetting charges.
The Binagadi District Court has placed the accused under house arrest and suspended them from their positions. The investigation into other individuals involved in the scheme is ongoing.
