Baku: An appeal complaint regarding the sentence of Anass Derraz, Vice President of the French company SAUR, has been reviewed, resulting in a reduced prison term. Derraz was previously sentenced to 12 years for accepting a large bribe and other criminal offenses. The Baku Court of Appeal has now reduced his sentence by three years.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the case involved allegations against Anass Derraz and Alexandre Benalla, the former head of the French President's Security Service. Both were accused of receiving substantial bribes to lift international sanctions against Farhad Ahmadov, a Russian billionaire of Azerbaijani origin. Media reports suggested that French officials demanded a bribe from Ahmadov to release his Luna yacht from seizure and ensure protection from sanctions.

The investigation revealed that part of the bribe was transferred to Derraz's account at AL HILAL BANK and Benalla's account at BANK OF AFRICA UNITED KINGDOM PLC SC PAR. While Derraz was detained in Azerbaijan and banned from leaving the country, INTERPOL was contacted to issue an international warrant for Benalla.

Anass Derraz faced charges under the Azerbaijani Criminal Code for the legalization of property obtained through criminal means and accepting a large bribe. His case has attracted significant attention due to its international implications and the involvement of high-profile figures.