Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAKU471
2007-04-19 14:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baku
Cable title:
FORMER MINISTER FARHAD ALIYEV'S TRIAL SET FOR MAY
how-toVZCZCXRO0588 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHKB #0471 1091412 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 191412Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAKU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2836 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNOSC/OSCE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000471
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2008
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM KCOR AJ
SUBJECT: FORMER MINISTER FARHAD ALIYEV'S TRIAL SET FOR MAY
15
Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000471
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2008
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM KCOR AJ
SUBJECT: FORMER MINISTER FARHAD ALIYEV'S TRIAL SET FOR MAY
15
Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Elton Guliyev, the principal defense lawyer for
detained former Minister of Economic Development Farhad
Aliyev, reports that the Baku Court of Grave Crimes has set
May 15, 2007 as the preliminary hearing date for Aliyev's
long awaited trial. Aliyev's 18-month pretrial detention is
set to expire on April 19 at 1300. The GOAJ Prosecutor turned
the case over to the Court on April 12 and by doing so
ensured that Aliyev could lawfully remain in judicial custody
(as opposed to pretrial detention) until the May 15 start
date of the trial.
2. (C) Guliyev reports that the GOAJ will prosecute Aliyev on
corruption charges (illegal sale of state assets) and not
coup plot charges, akin to the process applied in the trial
of former Health Minister Ali Insanov. However, Guliyev said
the coup charges remain on the charge sheet. He believes that
the GOAJ has kept the charges on the books in order to
justify the 18-month pretrial detention period; absent the
coup charges, Aliyev's pretrial detention period would have
expired after 12 months in October 2006. Guliyev said that
the charges filed against Aliyev are voluminous (reportedly
339 volumes of material) and for this reason, Guliyev had
requested that the Court grant Aliyev's counsel sufficient
time to review the charges and prepare a defense, which
perhaps contributed to the Court's decision to delay the
proceedings until mid-May.
3. (C) Aliyev's upcoming trial has been largely obscured in
the local press by the ongoing trial of former Health
Minister Ali Insanov and its explosive allegations. We
understand that a verdict is expected in the Insanov case on
April 20 (septel). We further understand that Aliyev's trial
will be open to outside observers. Poloff will raise the
upcoming trial in a meeting next week with GOAJ First Deputy
Prosecutor General Usubov to underscore the importance of due
process and proper conduct of the proceedings. Post will send
the Department proposed guidance on the Aliyev case septel
and will continue to monitor and report accordingly.
DERSE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2008
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM KCOR AJ
SUBJECT: FORMER MINISTER FARHAD ALIYEV'S TRIAL SET FOR MAY
15
Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Elton Guliyev, the principal defense lawyer for
detained former Minister of Economic Development Farhad
Aliyev, reports that the Baku Court of Grave Crimes has set
May 15, 2007 as the preliminary hearing date for Aliyev's
long awaited trial. Aliyev's 18-month pretrial detention is
set to expire on April 19 at 1300. The GOAJ Prosecutor turned
the case over to the Court on April 12 and by doing so
ensured that Aliyev could lawfully remain in judicial custody
(as opposed to pretrial detention) until the May 15 start
date of the trial.
2. (C) Guliyev reports that the GOAJ will prosecute Aliyev on
corruption charges (illegal sale of state assets) and not
coup plot charges, akin to the process applied in the trial
of former Health Minister Ali Insanov. However, Guliyev said
the coup charges remain on the charge sheet. He believes that
the GOAJ has kept the charges on the books in order to
justify the 18-month pretrial detention period; absent the
coup charges, Aliyev's pretrial detention period would have
expired after 12 months in October 2006. Guliyev said that
the charges filed against Aliyev are voluminous (reportedly
339 volumes of material) and for this reason, Guliyev had
requested that the Court grant Aliyev's counsel sufficient
time to review the charges and prepare a defense, which
perhaps contributed to the Court's decision to delay the
proceedings until mid-May.
3. (C) Aliyev's upcoming trial has been largely obscured in
the local press by the ongoing trial of former Health
Minister Ali Insanov and its explosive allegations. We
understand that a verdict is expected in the Insanov case on
April 20 (septel). We further understand that Aliyev's trial
will be open to outside observers. Poloff will raise the
upcoming trial in a meeting next week with GOAJ First Deputy
Prosecutor General Usubov to underscore the importance of due
process and proper conduct of the proceedings. Post will send
the Department proposed guidance on the Aliyev case septel
and will continue to monitor and report accordingly.
DERSE