Baku: The trial of Anass Derraz, a French citizen of Moroccan origin and vice president of the notable French company SAUR, has commenced in Baku. Detained by the State Security Service of Azerbaijan, Derraz faces charges of accepting substantial bribes and involvement in other illegal activities, as reported by APA.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the proceedings are taking place under the leadership of Judge Farid Namazov at the Baku Court on Grave Crimes. Derraz was provided with interpreters in both English and French. During the trial, it was clarified that he was born in Casablanca, Morocco, and holds dual citizenship in France and Morocco. As a family man with two young children, Derraz serves as the Vice President of SAUR, an international company registered in Dubai.
The court session involved a review of the case, during which Derraz sought a postponement of the hearing. He appealed for the termination of the criminal case, expressing his desire to return to his family after being separated for 11 months. His legal representative supported this petition.
After consideration, the court denied the request to terminate the case and maintained the travel restriction on Derraz. The hearing is scheduled to continue on July 3.
Background information reveals that Derraz, alongside Alexandre Benalla, former head of the French President’s Security Service, is accused of soliciting substantial bribes. These were allegedly in exchange for lifting international sanctions against Russian billionaire Farhad Ahmadov, an Azerbaijani national, among other offenses.
Reports have indicated that French officials purportedly demanded bribes from Ahmadov to release his luxury yacht, Luna, from international seizure and to shield him from sanctions. Portions of the alleged bribes were reportedly transferred to Derraz’s account at AL HILAL BANK and Benalla’s account at BANK OF AFRICA UNITED KINGDOM PLC SC PAR.
While Derraz remains under investigation in Azerbaijan with a travel ban, INTERPOL has been engaged to issue a ‘Red Notice’ for Benalla, reflecting the seriousness of the charges. This notice, which facilitates international detention and extradition, underscores the compelling evidence held by the State Security Service. Benalla is currently undergoing extradition proceedings in a third country.