Baku/14.02.22/ The former owner of the “Ideal” perfumery chain, Ilgar Ismayilov, was sentenced to six years in prison. The verdict was handed down on February 14 by the Baku Serious Crimes Court.
Ismailov was found guilty under the Article 179.3.2 (large-scale embezzlement) and 308.2 (abuse of official authority resulting in grave consequences) of the Criminal Code.
The investigation accused Ismayilov of misappropriation 680 thousand manats of the company’s funds in 2011-2017. Earlier, the state prosecutor asked the court to sentence Ismayilov to eight years in prison.
Ismailov pleaded not guilty, claiming that the case was fabricated. He claimed that he was being persecuted because his partner, wife of AZAL president Zarifa Gamzayeva, wants to seize the company. She is also the President of Gazelli Group and co-founder of Premium Bank.
In his last speech, he stated that in 2018 a criminal case had already been initiated against him under these articles, but it was closed. After Ismayilova demanded the restoration of her rights, the criminal case was resumed.
Earlier, Gamzaeva demanded that Ismailov be held accountable under the Article 147 (libel) and 148 (insult) of the Criminal Code, but the court did not satisfy her claim.—16D06-
