Baku:A court hearing has taken place in the criminal case of Sultan Gasimov, the former Consul General of Azerbaijan in St. Petersburg, who is facing charges of fraud. The hearing was held at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes under the supervision of Judge Firdovsi Aliyev.

According to Azeri-Press news agency, the indictment alleges that Sultan Gasimov caused a financial loss of approximately AZN 191,500 to Russian citizen Anton Zayats by falsely promising to transfer ownership of a six-sot plot of land in St. Petersburg through an auction.

The investigation also reveals that Sultan Gasimov received AZN 10,200 from another victim, Faig Mikayilov, who resides in Russia. Gasimov allegedly promised to facilitate the customs clearance of gold jewelry that Mikayilov had brought from India. Part of the payment was collected from Mikayilov's relative in Baku by an acquaintance of the accused, and the funds were reportedly used by Gasimov for personal expenses.

The next court session is scheduled for December 1. The criminal case was investigated by the Main Anti-Corruption Directorate under the Prosecutor General, which found that the victims suffered damages exceeding AZN 200,000. During the investigation, part of the damage was compensated, and Anton Zayats and Faig Mikayilov were recognized as victims.

Sultan Gasimov is charged under Articles 12.1 and 178.3.2 of the Criminal Code, which pertain to fraud committed in a foreign country causing large-scale damage. The investigation has been concluded, and the case has been forwarded to court.

Gasimov served as Azerbaijan's first Consul General in Yekaterinburg, Russia, from 2009 until his recall in 2016. He was subsequently appointed Consul General in St. Petersburg on May 3, 2016, and recalled from this position on October 21, 2024.