Court hearings have begun in Baku in a high-profile criminal case involving Yusif Baghiyev and several other defendants accused of running an illegal gambling network and laundering large sums of money.
According to Azerbaijani prosecutors, Baghiyev, along with Ramil Saadov, Parviz Mammadov and Samir Nasibov, allegedly generated more than 171 million manats through illegal gambling operations. Investigators say a significant portion of those funds was later laundered through bank accounts and investments in real estate.
The prosecution claims that assets worth around 10 million manats have been placed under court-ordered seizure as part of the investigation. The seized property reportedly includes residential and commercial real estate registered in the names of family members and close associates, as well as luxury vehicles.
Much of the frozen property is located in the Sheki region, with additional assets identified in Baku and the Absheron area. Prosecutors say further assets may still be under review as the case proceeds.
During the opening hearing at the Baku Court on Grave Crimes, the indictment was formally read out. All defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case is currently under judicial review, with the next hearing scheduled for later this month, when the court is expected to hear testimony from the defendants.
Azerbaijan’s law enforcement agencies have described the case as one of the largest financial crime investigations in recent years, involving alleged money laundering through organized illegal gambling activities.
