During the court session on the criminal cases of the former senior official of the Head Investigation Department of the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry Haji Mammadov and the criminal gang headed by him, the accused Eldar Rahimov answered questions presented by the prosecutor and the advocate. The court session on the cases of Mammadov and his gang comprising of 25 persons, is held in the Court of Heinous Crimes of Azerbaijan under the Chair of Judge Ali Seyfaliyev, Trend reports.
Rahimov stressed that the first evidence was provided by him regarding the assassination of the Director of the State Concern Azermebelsanaye Nazim Pashayev and his driver Natig Abbasov
Rahimov presented it to the attention of the court that he offered Mammadov not to ill-treat the hostages. I told Mammadov that these people are our hostages, and we need their money, but not their life. Of all the hostages, Elshan Hasanov was treated the worst, Rahimov stressed.
Answering the question did you face threats and pressure from Mammadov when leaving the gang in 1997, Rahimov replied No. Mammadov himself dismissed me from the gang. I often argued with Mammadov that he created unrest amongst the members of the gang. Mammadov understood that I did not want to be part of the gang, and after kidnapping Ulvan Bagiron in 1997, Mammadov ordered me to leave. Rahimov stressed.
The court session continues.