Baku: A court hearing has commenced regarding the criminal case initiated by the State Security Service (SSS) against Khagani Omarov, Anar Salamzade, and Elchin Azizov, who are accused of financing terrorism, APA reports. The court investigation was declared open in the Baku Court for Grave Crimes under the chairmanship of Judge Nigar Imanova. The state prosecutor announced the concluding part of the indictment. According to Azeri-Press News Agency, it was revealed that the acquaintances of the accused, Shukur Hamidli and Elshan Mustafayev, traveled first to Trkiye and then to Syria, where they participated in the fighting. The indictment stated that the accused transferred money from their incomes and funds collected via social networks to several individuals living abroad, using bank cards sent by Shukur Hamidli. Transfers were also made to Elshan Mustafayev, with a portion of the funds reaching Shukur Hamidli in Syria, and the rest delivered to others. This financial activity has been interpreted as supp ort for ISIS, which both individuals are presumed to be members of. During the hearing, Anar Salamzade testified that Shukur Hamidli had been his classmate and friend, who moved to Syria and later requested financial assistance due to the dire situation there. Salamzade claimed that the money sent was solely for food aid and not for purchasing weapons, and he denied any connection to ISIS. Answering the state prosecutor's questions, Salamzade mentioned sending money not only to Syria, but also to Sheki, Trkiye, and Russia for aid purposes. He explained that Shukur Hamidli had sent combat videos out of interest. Salamzade also stated that he did not know Khagani Omarov, another accused individual. Khagani Omarov, in his testimony, stated that Elshan Mustafayev is his brother-in-law. Omarov explained that he provided his bank card to Elshan for helping his sister and that he was unaware of the money's source or any support for terrorism. He noted that he only supported the collection of 30,000 manats to help his sister return to Azerbaijan and had no information about any terrorist connections. The trial will continue on May 27. The accused individuals were detained following an operation by the State Security Service (SSS), which determined that they transferred financial resources to individuals operating abroad in support of terrorism. The accused have been charged under Article 214-1 of the Criminal Code for financing terrorism.
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