Baku: The trial involving Metleb Baghirov, the head of the SalamNews and Interaz news agencies, continues at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes, with proceedings overseen by Judge Leyla Asgarova. Baghirov, who has been living outside Azerbaijan since 2003 and holds Russian citizenship, provided his testimony to the court.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Baghirov clarified his business operations, stating that while his companies were established in Russia and Turkey, they were not branches of Azerbaijani firms. He recounted the establishment of the “Interaz” channel in Russia as a diaspora channel, which he acquired in 2007. In 2009, he founded the SalamNews agency to disseminate news in Azerbaijan.
Baghirov disputed the charges related to the legalization of income, asserting that his financial activities in Azerbaijan were lawful. He emphasized that his earnings were legitimate, not derived from illegal activities such as racketeering or theft, and questioned the basis of accusations regarding money laundering.
The next court session is scheduled for February 10. Baghirov, also known as Haji Metleb, is notable for his religious education abroad and for founding the InterAz and SalamNews agencies. He was apprehended on January 20, 2023, amid a criminal investigation by the State Security Service. The State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy has been identified as the aggrieved party in the proceedings, with Baghirov facing multiple charges under the Criminal Code.