BAKU—Azerbaijani authorities have detained several officials on charges of smuggling gold bars worth approximately 190,000 AZN ($111,500 USD) into the country, as reported by the Prosecutor General’s Office.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the arrests stem from an ongoing investigation by the Chief Anti-Corruption Office under the Prosecutor General’s Office. This investigation was initiated following a report from the State Customs Committee regarding illicit activities by government officials. Investigators have identified a reasonable suspicion involving Parvin Dursunaliyev, a senior employee at the Air Transport Head Customs Department, and Mansur Mehdiyev, an inspector in the same department. The officials allegedly collaborated with Ali Ibrahimov to illegally smuggle five gold bars, which were acquired in the United Arab Emirates, through the Azerbaijani customs border on July 8, 2024. The smuggling operation reportedly took place at the airport’s border checkpoint with the aid of other criminal associates.

During a subsequent search operation, authorities seized relevant physical evidence. The implicated individuals, including Ibrahimov, Dursunaliyev, and Mehdiyev, have been formally charged under specific articles of the Criminal Code that pertain to smuggling. Following a court’s decision in the Binagadi District, detention measures have been applied pending further investigation. Authorities are continuing their efforts to identify and apprehend additional suspects involved in the smuggling ring.