Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 8
Trend:
A woman from Azerbaijan whose fortune has been targeted by British authorities under anti-corruption laws has been freed on bail while she battles extradition, Usnews reports.
Zamira Hajiyeva is the first person to be subject to an Unexplained Wealth Order, a measure aimed at curbing London's status as a haven for ill-gotten gains. The orders allow authorities to seize assets from people suspected of corruption until the owners account for how they were acquired.
British authorities want to know how Hajiyeva was able to spend 16 million pounds ($21 million) at luxury London department store Harrods and buy properties worth 22 million pounds ($29 million).
Hajiyeva was arrested last week at Azeri request over alleged embezzlement. A High Court judge ruled Thursday that there were no "substantial grounds" to refuse her bail.