Elturan Rustamli: "The Azerbaijani authorities have launched a campaign of robbery under the guise of 'confiscation.'"

Several properties belonging to the relatives of Saleh Rustamli, the former head of Gadabay's executive authority, have been put up for sale.

The information was shared by Elturan Rustamli, the nephew of Saleh Rustamli. He stated that, starting from January 6, state authorities have been putting their properties up for sale.

"After a brief pause, on January 6, the Azerbaijani authorities have once again launched a campaign of robbery under the guise of confiscation against our family and close relatives. Initially, the properties targeted were the apartment in my father's name, where we currently live, the house inherited from my grandfather where my uncle Valeh Rustamov lives, and the apartment that my father sold with power of attorney about 10 years ago. Despite serious attempts, the confiscation could not be carried out as these properties were occupied. Now, however, a 5-acre plot of land in my mother's name in Gadabay, a 24-acre plot in my uncle Valeh Rustamov's name, and a 10-acre plot in Novkhani settlement in the name of my aunt Yegana Rustamova have been put up for sale," he said.

On March 7, 2019, the Baku Serious Crimes Court, under the chairmanship of Judge Eldar Ismayilov, issued a verdict on the forced confiscation of real estate owned by Saleh Rustamov and his relatives, without compensation, for the benefit of the state.

Saleh Rustamov, who served as the head of the Gadabay District Executive Authority during President Abulfaz Elchibey's term and is currently living in Russia, was sentenced to 7 years and 3 months in prison in 2018 for his involvement in the illegal financing of the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party. Human rights defenders recognized him as a political prisoner.

He was pardoned on May 27, 2022, by a decree from President Ilham Aliyev.