Haji Mammadov: "The number of planned kidnappings I could not realize is huge"

26 members of the gang stand trial presided by Judge Ali Seyfaliyev.

Anar Sultanov, who was the chairman of International Bank central branch when kidnapped, gave testimony.

"In the autumn of 2002 felt that someone follows me, but did not pay attention to it. I knew only Elchin Aliyev and his uncle Haji Mammadov before the investigation. I was in Garabulag summer resort several times. I had no dispute with Elchin Aliyev on his appointment to the post of the bank director," he said.

Then Haji Mammadov answered the questions of Adil Ismayilov.

"I had a number of planned kidnappings, which I could not realize. Kidnapping of Anar Sultanov was of them. The investigation knew about it only in January this year when Nizami Abdullayev was arrested. Zakir Nesirov said in his testimony that I kidnapped Anar Sultanov to murder him. It is not true. I consult with higher officials before murdering someone," he said.

Adil Ismayilov, the lawyer accused the court of being indifferent to Haji Mammadov's statements.

"In his testimony Haji Mammadov said that there were attempts for kidnapping Yashar Babayev, Anar Sultanov and Yalikhan Iluyev. The public prosecutors seem not to be interested in these facts," he said.

The solicitation was not met.

Then kidnapped Urfan Bagirov and Ahmed Mammadov, the son of Azersigorta State Company’s president gave testimony. Ahmad Mammadov said that the gang demanded US $850 000 from his family for releasing him.

Haji Mammadov giving testimony on this episode said that Shirkhan Abliyev ordered the kidnapping of Ahmed Mammadov.

"Fist he wanted to kidnap Mammad Mammadov, but then we decided to kidnap his son as Mammad Mammadov was old. The investigation of NSM was ordered by some officials. Telet Mammadov, the chief of Investigation Office and his assistant did this to take vengeance on me. Nobody could get money from M. Mammadov but me. He had a lot of embezzled money in his account in banks. It is the money of people. I think I revenged him on behalf of Azerbaijan people," he said. APA