The court trial regarding the criminal case against Islam Yusifov, son of Zal Yusifov, the former head of the "Baku" branch of “Texnikabank” Open Joint Stock Company whose license was revoked, and his close friend Ilham Abbasov, has continued.
According to Medianews.az citing Unikal, during the trial chaired by Judge Elnur Nuriyev of the Baku Serious Crimes Court, the victims were questioned.
Victim Kenan Asgarov stated that he gave 55 thousand manats to the accused persons:
"When I wanted to buy the house, I checked the documents, they were all in order. Islam told me he had a house in Khirdalan. The price of the 3-room house was 72 thousand manats. They gave me the keys saying the house was mine. Then they prepared a contract. However, I saw that the contract was forged."
Islam Yusifov agreed with part of what the victim said:
"I owe him 265 thousand manats. I have paid 10 thousand manats of that amount. I told him to sell the garden but never told him to sell the property."
During the trial, victim Gündüz Soltanzade stated he did not want to give testimony without his lawyer present.
The judge said that applications would be made to the Bar Association regarding both lawyers.
The next session of the court was scheduled for April 24.
According to the charges, Islam Yusifov was sentenced to 8 years in prison by the Serious Crimes Court in 2010, but was released early by the decision of the Khazar District Court in 2016.
Despite not serving his full sentence, he committed fraud again. His first crime was committed against Afet Huseynova, whose son was in prison. Under the pretext that her son Kamran Najafov, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison, would be released, he extorted a total of 70 thousand dollars from her at different times and in various amounts.
In addition, he took 308 thousand dollars from his acquaintance Gündüz Soltanov with the promise that he would win a tender announced by the Ministry of Science and Education for the construction of a secondary school.
According to the investigation documents, Islam Yusifov and his friend Ilham Abbasov together made a false promise to victim Hasan Hasanov, son of Rafael Hasanov, that they would arrange a job for him in the legal department of the Presidential Administration, and took 360 thousand manats from him.
According to the charges, Islam Yusifov falsely promised Kamran Asgarov that he would sell his two cars and a plot of land, and took 275 thousand manats from him. Later, he told another victim, Huseyn Gurbanov, that he would bring "iPhone" mobile phones from Dubai, and spent the 20 thousand manats he took from him on personal needs.
Additionally, he gave a false promise to Rashad Gasimov that he would sell a non-residential property belonging to him, taking 55 thousand manats, and deceived Rafat Mammadov by promising to sell his house, obtaining 75 thousand manats.
The investigation body has charged Islam Yusifov under Article 178.4 (especially large-scale fraud) of the Criminal Code, and Ilham Abbasov under Article 178.2.3 (large-scale fraud). The judge said that if the guilt of the accused is proven in court, Islam Yusifov faces a sentence of 10 to 14 years, while Ilham Abbasov faces 5 to 10 years in prison.
It should be noted that both individuals were detained by law enforcement officers. By the decision of the Binagadi District Court, Islam Yusifov was placed under pre-trial detention, and Ilham Abbasov was subjected to police supervision. According to the information obtained, Islam Yusifov is accused of fraud amounting to more than 1 million 200 thousand manats in total. Ilham Abbasov participated only in one episode with him.
There are 6 victims in the case.
Islam Yusifov had been convicted before. In 2008, he was prosecuted along with the members of the group led by his father. It should be recalled that by the verdict dated April 27, 2010, of the Serious Crimes Court, Zal Yusifov was found guilty under Articles 178.3.1, 178.3.2, 313, 320.2, 179.3.1, and 179.3.2 of the Criminal Code and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with confiscation of property, while his son Islam Zal oglu Yusifov was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.
Although Zal Yusifov was released at the end of his sentence, he did not compensate for the damage caused to the victims.
